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The UBC Thunderbirds claimed their second consecutive Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship on Sunday. They defeated the Queen’s Gaels 21-10 in the final at Centennial Stadium in Victoria. Last year’s finalists UVic took third overall.
Queen’s had the better of the first half with a Trevor Helgason try, converted by Dylan Young, giving them a 7-3 lead at the break. A Will Percillier penalty goal was all the defending champions could muster in the opening 30-minute period.
The second half began with a second Percillier goal that was answered by Young. Replacement prop Joe Sourisseau pushed the T-Birds into the lead with a try soon after with fullback Cole Keffer making it a two-score game just a few minutes later.
Percillier’s third penalty kick sealed the win with just a couple minutes remaining on the clock.
The UVic Vikes defeated the Concordia Stingers 34-21 to take the bronze with the Guelph Gryphons earning 5th after a 62-14 win over the UNB Ironmen.
Six teams from across the country competed for the title, with the Ontario champions Queen’s participating for the first time after opting out of last year’s inaugural championship. This was reflected in more competitive results across the board, with the exception of UNB, the Maritime champions who were the only team of the six not afforded varsity status by their university.
While the Women’s Championship falls under the USports banner, the Men remain an independently organized competition.
RESULTS
POOL A
UBC Thunderbirds 41-8 Concordia Stingers
UBC Thunderbirds 34-7 Guelph Gryphons
Guelph Gryphons 5-19 Concordia Stingers
POOL B
Queen’s Gaels 76-5 UNB Ironmen
Queen’s Gaels 15-8 UVic Vikes
UVic Vikes 69-0 UNB Ironmen
5th PLACE FINAL
Guelph Gryphons 62-14 UNB Ironmen
BRONZE FINAL
Concordia Stringers 21-34 UVic Vikes
GOLD FINAL
UBC Thunderbirds 21-10 Queen’s Gaels
