Mustangs challenge rival Gaels in second victory attempt for OUA gold

Photo Source: Queen's University Sports Information

LONDON, Ont.- The Western Mustangs men’s rugby team sets off on the road to Kingston this weekend to challenge first place OUA opponent the Queen’s Gaels for the OUA Championship gold medal match. The last time the two teams met was on September 22, where Western gave Queen’s its first and only loss on the Gaels’ field in a close game 22-20. Queen’s will look for vengeance this weekend while Western will aim to hold a second victory over the red, gold and blue to bring the championship back to London.

Western finished with a regular OUA season record of 7-1, losing only one game to second place Guelph 5-12, who the team defeated 21-15 in the OUA semi-finals later on in the season. This win ended Guelph’s run for the OUA gold medal. The Mustangs ranked third for the OUA regular season with 33 points, only two behind first place Queen’s.

The Mustangs first challenged the Warriors at TD Waterhouse Stadium for the OUA quarterfinal match and took Waterloo in a 17-12 victory. The playoff win was followed by a rival semifinal match against Guelph where Western sought revenge and pushed passed the Gryphons to head for the OUA finals.

The OUA honoured five players on the Mustangs roster to its 2012 OUA All-Star standing. Western lead scorer Mike Turnbull finished seventh in the OUA with 41 points on 14 converts, two tries, and one penalty goal which earned him a place as a 2012 OUA All-Star team, along with teammates Geoff Wharburton, John Humphries, James Ojo and recruit Courtney Mendez.

First place Queen’s Gaels will be tough competition in this weekend’s championship game with a regular season record 7-1 and a league-high score of 364 points. Queen’s recently took a convincing win against Brock 46-3 in its OUA semifinal match, easily earning a spot in the gold medal game. The Gaels look to capture the title after a three year hiatus with help of four time OUA coach of the year Peter Huigenbos (2005, 2008, 2009, 2012).

The team hosts some outstanding players, six who have recently been named 2012 OUA All-Stars. Dan Moor, the OUA 2012 All-Around Player and Adam McQueen, OUA rookie of the year also play for the Gaels. Moor takes OUA All-Star for a third consecutive year, along with All-Round Player, while McQueen earned 17 converts, one penalty goal, and one drop goal. Other All-Stars include: Angus MacPhail, Jacob Rumball, James Dent, Brendan McGovern, and fourth ranked OUA player, Graham Turner, who finished with 45 points.

The Western Mustangs men’s rugby team travels to Kingston Sunday, November 11, 2012 to vie for the OUA gold medal in a rival match against opponent the Queen’s Gaels where kick-off will start at 1:00pm at Nixon Field.

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