SHERBROOKE, Que. – A frantic finish wasn't enough for the Bishop's Gaiters men's rugby team to spoil a perfect Montreal Carabins season.  The visiting Carabins never trailed and held on for a 24-22 victory on Coulter Field on a dreary Saturday afternoon.
 
How it Happened
Montreal scored six minutes in however windy conditions made kicking tough for both sides and the conversion sailed wide. Bishop's tied the game up in the 23^rd minute thanks to a try from Patrick Giroux. It was as close as the Gaiters would get as Montreal extended their lead to 12-5 before Patrick Lawton was successful on a penalty to cut the Carabins advantage to 12-8 at halftime.
 
Montreal poured it on early in the second stanza.  They scored in the 42^nd minute to increase their advantage.  Giroux tallied his second try of the game in the 56^th minute, converted by Lawton to keep the Gaiters within striking distance.  Montreal replied with a converted try just over 10 minutes later, a score that appeared to be the nail in the coffin. Bishop's did not let up and Shayne Crawford scored in the 79^th minute, and another Lawton conversion from a sharp angle left Bishop's behind by just two points.  Bishop's marched the ensuing kickoff into Carabins territory and Montreal held on for dear life before they forced a turnover to end the game in dramatic fashion and preserve their undefeated season.
 
For Montreal (7-0-0)
Tries: Clement Olivier Mainville, Benjamin Hartley, Mathieu Brunel Vier, Pierre Constatin
Conversions: Pierre Constatin, Roman Gomez
 
For Bishop's (3-3-1)
Tries: Patrick Giroux (2), Shayne Crawford
Conversions: Patrick Lawton (2)
Penalty: P. Lawton
 
Coach Goode's Comments:
Bishop's Gaiters bench boss Charles Goode comments on Saturday's loss to Montreal and looks ahead to their quarter-final matchup with Concordia.
 

 
Super Seniors
Prior to the game, the Gaiters honoured their graduating seniors: Gabriel Deschênes, Gabriel Pedneault, Sean Smallwood, Alex Charest, Robert McGovern, Mike Izzard, Nick Doyon, Shayne Crawford and captain Lee Hudson.
 
Next Up
Bishop's finishes up the regular season at 3-3-1 and in second place in their division.  The result is they will host the Concordia Stingers (1-6-0) who finished in third place in their group.  The RSEQ men's rugby quarter-final will take place on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. on Coulter Field.