 Media Credit: Kirsten Mallory Spread ´em! Rugby team was booked for a tough loss.
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The men's rugby team failed in its quest for a second consecutive undefeated season, narrowly losing 16-11 to the Bishop's Gaiters in the Quebec final on Sunday at Rutherford Park.
Having beaten Bishop's twice during the regular season, McGill looked poised to repeat as champions. Someone should have told that to the Gaiters.
The game started off with back and forth play, with the Redmen making use of their strong backs. Bishop's employed its sizable forwards for its offensive catalyst.
McGill set the pace early with strong rucking and mauling against its much larger opponent. However, Bishop's got the first points of the game with a penalty kick after a McGill offside call, giving the Gaiters a 3-0 advantage.
The Redmen tied the game shortly after with a flurry of kicks just out of the reach of the Gaiters' backs, which led to a Bishop's penalty. Matt De Graff converted for McGill.
Both teams put on tackling clinics, with many discovering what it was like to become one with the ground. McGill held off a strong push late in the half by the Gaiters to keep the score even. The score at the break created much tension, signifying that it was going to be a tight game the rest of the way.
Bishop's came out with the same intensity that it showed late in the first half and drove its way down the field. The Gaiters settled for a penalty kick and took the lead after yet another McGill offside penalty.
The Gaiters continued their effort with an intercepted pass intended for one of two McGill backs in the vicinity, leading to a score between the posts and a 13-3 lead.
The Redmen didn't go down without a fight, though. They clawed their way down the field, capitalizing on poor play by Bishop's. However, a blocked kick and what was thought to be a try was called back, surprising both McGill players and fans.
McGill mounted one last charge leading to a try, but it wasn't enough. The visitors posted another three points from a penalty kick to put the final nail in the coffin.
Coach Sean McCaffrey said that a lack of execution led to the upset of the heavily favoured Redmen.
"We knocked too many balls on, and we weren't as sharp as we usually are," he said. "More importantly, we didn't adjust to their style of play. We are going to make some adjustments so that we can be better equipped next year."
Captain Pat Weldon was quick to point out the resolve in his teammates.
"The guys showed a lot of heart and never took a back step to a much larger team," he said. "Sometimes you don't get the right bounces and nobody can change that."
The players reiterated that this was a bad way to end a good season. However, with the Eastern Championship still up for grabs, the Redmen aren't done just yet. With upcoming meetings against St. Francis Xavier, the University of New Brunswick, Concordia and Carleton, the Redmen still have something to play for.
2008 Woodie Awards
