MARKHAM, Ont. -- Despite some intense goal-line pressure in the final minutes of the game, the Western Mustangs were unable to push across a try to regain the lead over the Queen's Gaels. As a result, the Gaels held on for a 23-19 win to capture the 2009 OUA Championship at Fletcher's Field Saturday afternoon.

It was the 18th OUA men's rugby title in Queen's history, and their first since 2001. The Gaels, who finished the 2009 season with a perfect 10-0 record, came into Saturday's final having lost in the league championship game in both 2007 and 2008.

With a second-place finish, the Mustangs improved on their two straight bronze-medal winning seasons. The last OUA Championship title for Western was in 2004.

The Mustangs opened the scoring on Saturday while one man down with a try from centre Marcus Mitchell (Ancaster, Ont.). Wing Matthew Barrett (Lindsay, Ont.) then added one of his two conversions on the day for a quick 7-0 Western lead.

Queen's winger Scott Kyle (Singapore) brought the Gaels to within striking distance with a try in the 19th minute, created by a tremendous run from centre Chris Barrett (Vancouver, B.C.).

Less than ten minutes later, Mustangs centre Conor Trainor (Vancouver B.C.) notched his side’s second try.

It looked as if the Gaels would go into the half trailing by nine points, but winger Zach Pancer (Unionville, Ont.) scored a try in injury time to bring Queen’s to within four at 14-10.

The Mustangs came out swinging in the second half, and got on the board within five minutes of the opening kick with a try from fullback Matthew McLeod (Lindsay, Ont.). The Gaels responded, though, with a penalty goal from lock Ryan Kruyne (Dunrobin, Ont.), bringing Queen’s to within a try for the tie.

The penalty kick seemed to add life to a flat Gaels offence, and they responded with a try in the 17th minute from eight-man Pat Richardson (Vancouver, B.C.), who scored after a 45-yard run from Barrett to bring the Gaels to within one point at 19-18.

Barrett finally capped off his exceptional game halfway through the second half when he broke two Mustang tackles to score the Gaels’ third try of the day, putting them in front by four points.

Less than a try behind, the Mustangs spent the rest of the game, down to the final whistle, applying pressure to the Gaels’ defense, but they wouldn’t break and held the scoreline in their advantage.