Matt Anthony Field was packed full of rugby fans as the Queen’s Gaels and ÉTS Piranhas meet under the lights for the CUMRC gold medal matchup.
The CUMRC newcomers dethroned the three-time reigning champions, the no. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds in their semifinal on Friday night. On the other side of the bracket, the Gael’s handed the no. 2 Guelph Gryphons their first loss of the season, getting their revenge for the OUA final.
Stanislas Bresse cashed in on the first points of the game, running down a chip kick for an ÉTS try.
A picture-perfect lineout put the Gaels on the goal line, Daniel Svoboda successfully touched the ball down for five points. A huge carry by Tao Nichols put the Gaels back on the goal line, the Piranhas defence held strong until Cameron Bubyn broke through to score.
With another try and penalty kick by Paul Arditi, ÉTS had a 17-12 lead at halftime.
Incredibly patient work on the goal line by the Gaels allowed them to flip the lead in their favour. Cameron Bubyn logged his second of the evening to tie and Marcus D’Acre’s convert made it a 19-17 Queen’s lead.
As time passed, tensions rose, as did the physicality of the game. Penalties and possessions exchanged, and at the 48-minute mark, Arditi sent a penalty kick through the posts to reclaim the lead for ETS by a single point.
The ÉTS crowd erupted towards the end of the half as Jules Testelin fired in a drop goal to make it 23-19. That marked the end of the game, the Piranhas were golden.
In their first ever CUMRC appearance, the Piranhas won the championship while Gaels head home with silver around their necks.
Players of the Game:
ÉTS: Thibault Le Coz
QUE: Tao Nichols
Scoring Summary:
FIRST HALF
ETS: Try Stanislas Bresse (Paul Arditi conversion) – 4’
QUE: Try Daniel Svoboda (conversion failed) – 16’
ETS: Try Jules Normandin (Paul Arditi conversion) – 18’
ETS: Paul Arditi penalty kick – 27’
QUE: Try Cameron Bubyn (Marcus D’Acre conversion) – 34’
SECOND HALF
QUE: Try Cameron Bubyn (Marcus D’Acre conversion) – 36’
ETS: Paul Arditi penalty kick – 48’
ETS: Jules Testelin drop goal – 55’
2024 CUMRC Tournament All-Stars:
1. Koen Buckingham (UBC)
2. Cameron Bubyn (Queen’s)
3. Evan Roy (Ottawa)
4. Caden Wilson (UBC)
5. Xavi Chrit (ETS)
6. Tao Nichols (Queen’s)
7. Brahim Mahmoudi (ETS)
8. Ryder Heany-Corns (Vikes)
9. Paul Arditti (ETS)
10. Marcus D’Acre (Queen’s)
11. Stanislas Bresse (ETS)
12. Talon McMullin (UBC)
13. Morgan Di Nardo (UVIC)
14. Owen Lee (Queen’s)
15. Benjamin Greenstein (Queen’s)
