LENNOXVILLE, Que. – In a pivotal RSEQ University men's rugby match-up, the McGill Redbirds topped the shorthanded Bishop's Gaiters 24-5 on Friday night in Lennoxville.
The loss, their third straight, drops the Gaiters to 2-3 while McGill improves to 4-1 and sits atop the RSEQ standings. Bishop's is currently in fourth place.
Friday's game saw McGill jump out in front early thanks to an Owen Cumming try and conversion in the eighth minute. Bishop's was then assed three straight yellow cards. Already down eight regulars, the Gaiters held strong. It wasn't until the 37
th minute that McGill scored their second try of the match. Just minutes later as the stanza ended, a Bishop's clearing attempt was blocked, and the Redbirds capitalized to grab a 19-0 lead at half.
After the break, McGill found the sin bin in the 50
th minute and Bishop's took advantage. A mad scramble was finished by
Quinn Hayhurst (Victoria, BC/Shawnigan Lake School).
The Gaiters remained within two score for most of the second half, that included after taking a fourth yellow card, but were unable to generate any offense. McGill scored their fourth major of the night in the 78
th minute to earn the bonus point and make the final 24-5.
Next up the Gaiters will travel to Montreal to face ETS (2-2) in a game that will have massive playoff implications. Kickoff is set for Friday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at College Notre-Dame.
Prior to Friday's contest, the Gaiters honoured nine graduating seniors:
Kai Moore (Roberts Creek, BC/Elphinstone S.S.),
Pierre Coutin (London, U.K./Collingham College),
Jack Page (Montreal, QC/Bishop's College School),
Luc Leslie (Okotoks, AB/Holy Trinity Academy),
Connor Labbette (Toronto, ON/Lawrence Park C.I.),
Patrick Currie (Saint John, NB/Saint John H.S.),
Colton Bennett (Arundel, QC/Dawson College),
Louis Millet (Toulouse, France/Lycee Polyvalent Bellevue) and
Cole Lowry (Sherbrooke, QC/Champlain-Lennoxville).
