LONDON, Ont. -- For the second time this season The University of Western Ontario Mustangs defeated the University of Guelph Gryphons on home field. The first game was a solid 25-7 regular season win back on September 7, while this game was a 28-3 win in the OUA semi-finals.

The game was played under the lights, and the evening brought with it a cold wind as the Mustangs played on the artificial turf field of TD Waterhouse. The game got off to a quick start, as Mustangs’ veteran Rory Tomlinson drove through a gap in the Guelph defensive line to score the game’s first try. Mike Turnbull converted the kick, and by the end of the game was leading the OUA with 23 conversions on the season.

Later the in half Tom Bridger made a goal line stand to stop the Gryphons from scoring a try and tying the score. Mike Penczak got the next try for Western with a magnificent run that started just ahead of his own 22, as he seemed to run through the entire Guelph team on his way to the try zone.

Western dominated much of the possession, a penalty kick was the only points the Gryphons could muster, finally getting on the board to make the score 14-3. The forward pack of Western did a great job all game, with a few big gains from mauls, and winning rucks all over the field.

Conor Trainor put more points on the board for Western with a try of his own in the second half. A few quick moves, followed by a long run up the sideline, had the crowd roaring its approval as Trainor touched the ball down in the try zone.

Western was still controlling the play, and the Gryphons didn’t fair much better in the second half than they did in the first. Andrew Crow got the game’s last try, with a great team effort behind the play start to finish. The Mustangs did a great job of distributing the ball on the play, and the forwards played well off of the backs to score the try.

The win puts the Mustangs into the OUA championship game, which will be held at TD Waterhouse Stadium next Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 PM. The Mustangs will play Queen’s for the league title, and will certainly be eager to make up for last year’s loss in the championship game to McMaster.

Come out and support your Mustangs on OUA Championship weekend at TD Waterhouse Stadium as both the Football team (Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 PM) and the Men’s Rugby team (Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:00 PM) compete for OUA Championships.