A slow start left the Bishop's Gaiters men's rugby team too big of a hole to climb out of as they opened their 2016 campaign in Montreal on Sunday night.  The ruggers trailed 19-0 at the half before finally mounting some momentum after the break however it was too little, too late.  Montreal ended up on top 26-10 when the final whistle blew.

The Gaiters had a difficult first half against last year's finalists Université de Montreal. The Carabins were better in the tackle and in getting forward momentum as well as decision making before the break. The only positive in the first half for us was our line outs and mauls for which the Carabins had no answer. The first half saw the Gaiters behind 19-0.

With a host of replacements in to start the second half and after having been read the riot act by Coach Goode, the Gaiters started to show to spark in attack and some grit in defence. Led by team captain Lee Hudson and second half replacement Brock Spencer, Bishop's managed to get over the advantage line and hold onto the ball. The Gaiters scored twice in the last 10 minutes while only allowing Montreal a solitary try in the second half.

Bishop's tries through a Patrick Lawton set-up to Mike Izzard from 15 meters out and a solo effort by Josh Bray from one meter out.
"We came out completely uninspired in the first half and lacked tactical and technical awareness and any sort of precision," said Gaiters head coach Charles Goode.  "The second half was a different story. We have a deep team and are still working out the combinations, albeit this is a good problem to have."

Next up for the Gaiters is a tilt with the Concordia Stingers as they play their home opener on Coulter Field on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m.