Banner Season: Gaels win third straight OUA title with a thrilling battle against rival Guelph
Kingston, Ont. (via Queen's Gaels) - The Queen's Gaels made it win 28 in a row and claimed their third straight OUA championship with a 27-18 win over the Guelph Gryphons.
The Gryphons were the first to strike with a penalty goal off the foot of Aria Keshoofy to put the visiting team up 3-0.
The Gaels immediately put up a response as they pushed the ball forward deep into the Gryphon end. OUA MVP Dylan Young was able to put down a try from a few yards out to give the Gaels the lead 5-3.
Guelph continued to push their rivals, controlling the possession in the early stages. Their hard work was rewarded as Dalton Campbell secured a try after a large Guelph pack was pushed toward the try line. Keshoofy successfully converted to put Guelph back in the lead 10-5.
The Gryphon side kept their relentless attack going, pushing the Gaels back on their heels, a long run got punched out wide to the left sideline for Guerschan Mukendi who was able to touch down a try. The conversion missed and the Gryphons lead was extended to 15-5.
After Sam Ibbotson was able to put down his first try of the match, the Gaels made their move in the final seconds of the opening half. Trevor Helgason flew through the Guelph defence and touched down a try to tie the game at 15-15. Young then nailed the conversion and Queen's held a 17-15 lead at halftime.
The two sides dug in their heels defensively in the second half with neither club looking to give up valuable points.
Guelph kicked their second penalty goal of the match as Keshoofy once again put his team in front, now 18-17.
The Queen's faithful got on their feet as the minutes continued to tick down and the support did not go unnoticed from the Gaels. In the 73rd minute, Young nailed a penalty goal for Queen's to put them back in from 20-18. Moments later the ferocious defence from Queen's was able to turn the ball over and the result was Ibbotson securing his second try of the match. Young converted to put Queen's ahead 27-18 in the 79th minute.
A late charge from the Gryphons saw them dive for a final try but it came up short and the Queen's Gaels held on for the OUA Championship win.
