The no. 5 ranked ETS Piranhas took down the no. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds under the lights at Matt Anthony Field on Friday night. The three-time reigning champions fell at the hands of the newcomers 22-21 after a hard fought battle.
ETS made a big play for the first try of the evening. A chip kick batted back to the wing gave Sacha Laroche the perfect line to the tryzone, touching down to get ETS on the board.
As expected, the Thunderbirds had a response. From a maul, Sol Jacques powered the ball through for the score. UBC added another before the half, taking a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the teams exchanged points, starting with three points for ETS as Paul Arditi sent through a penalty kick. Both teams added a try, and with 15 minutes left to play, the Thunderbirds held a 21-17 lead.
The Piranhas took a one-point lead as Stanislas Bresse tapped the ball down for a try.
That try would turn out to be historic. With a 22-21 win, the Piranhas advance to the final of their first ever CUMRC tournament, while the Thunderbirds incredible gold medal streak comes to a close. UBC will play in the bronze medal game.
The gold medal game will be played on Sunday at 3 p.m. (ET) and the bronze medal match kicks off at 1 p.m. (ET).
Players of the game:
ETS: Brahim Mahmoudi
UBC: Talon McMullin
Scoring summary:
FIRST HALF
ETS: Try Sacha Laroche (Paul Arditi conversion) – 4’
UBC: Try Sol Jacques (Talon McMullin conversion) – 15’
UBC: Try Stephen Webb (Talon McMullin conversion) – 28’
SECOND HALF:
ETS: Paul Arditi penalty kick – 34’
UBC: Try Alastair Marshall (Talon McMullin conversion) – 37’
ETS: Try Brahim Mahmoudi (Paul Arditi conversion) – 43’
ETS: Try Stanislas Bresse (conversion failed) – 52’
