For the second year in a row, the Gryphons men’s rugby team lost the OUA Turner Trophy to the Queen’s Gaels. The Gryphons were close to victory, losing the game by only one point with a final score of 24-23 for Queen’s.
Head Coach Darrell Devine told the Gryphons Athletic Department, “This will definitely sting for a bit.” Devine was named OUA Coach of the Year the day before Saturday’s game, his third honour over his nine seasons with the Gryphons.
Coming off of a 7-1 regular season record and an impressive semi-final win over McMaster, the Gryphons had a strong start to the game, leading 3-0 in the first few minutes after an impressive kick from fourth-year fly half Nate Stein. Queen’s responded with strong offense, but the Gryphons finished the first half up 15-7 over the Gaels.
A yellow card at the very end of the half cost Guelph a player, and the beginning of the second half saw a barrage of scoring. Devine told the Gryphons Athletic Department, “Penalties hurt us. There was a 14-point swing after that yellow.” The game remained close until the last seconds, but the Gaels hung onto their one-point lead and ultimately took the win.
This year’s victory is a record for the Gaels, who hold the most Turner Trophy wins of any team in OUA history with 22. While the Gryphons are disappointed, the Athletic Department reports that the attitude was one of brotherhood as the exhausted team took a moment to appreciate each other and their fans following the game. “One game doesn’t define us,” said Devine. “We have lots to be proud of.”
Along with their coach, six players also received OUA recognition for their performance this season. Fourth-year hooker Eric Howard was named an OUA All-Star for the second time, along with fifth-year Lukas Gillham. Team captain Jeremy Wright, a three-time All-Star, ended his career with the Gryphons after Saturday’s game to finish the season. Jon West, previously named Rookie of the Year in 2011, adds a third All-Star recognition to his resume after the 2015 season, and fifth-year scrum half Byron Boville was named an All-Star for the fourth time to add to his two team MVP titles. Second-year Scott Simmonds was the Gryphons’ only non-senior All-Star, impressing coaches and teammates with his open-field tackles and overall athleticism.
While the OUA final did not end as the Gryphons had hoped, they have a lot of positives to take away from the 2015 season and added motivation to bring home the Turner Trophy in 2016.