UBC vs. McMaster 20171118
Photos of the UBC Thunderbirds vs. the McMaster Marauders in Game 5 of the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship at University of Guelph, November 18, 2017.
All photos on this site are Copyright © Jeff Chan, and may be used for personal non-commercial applications including by Queen's University, and U SPORTS Canada and its member conferences, other participating teams, and in the case of concert photos, the artists, so long as photo credits are shown or the photos are otherwise attributed to Jeff Chan.
Jeff is Co-Chair of the inaugural Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship being held on November 16-19, 2017 at the University of Guelph.
All other rights, including for all corporate and media use, are strictly reserved.
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UBC 38, McMaster 6
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UBC DOWNS MAC 38-6 AND BOOKS PLACE IN GOLD MEDAL MATCH
Guelph Sports Information
The UBC Thunderbirds have booked a spot in the inaugural Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship gold medal game. The Thunderbirds defeated a courageous McMaster Marauders team 38-11 on a wet Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium
The Marauders played well and matched up in scrums against the powerful BC side but were eventually worn down, with the a strong UBC finish to the first half the main difference in the match. Thunderbirds’ head coach Ramses Langston said that once his players put ego aside, their level went up.
“They decided to do what they were asked to do,” the coach said. “What we see from this young group is that they have strong minds. Sometimes they think they’re right but they realize that the coaches and our game plan made a lot of sense and was very effective.”
Fullback Theo Sauder had two tries and five converts, while eight man Mike Smith, prop Clint Lemkus, and back row Nick Allen scored the other tries for UBC. Sauder was awarded Man of the Match.
“He’s outstanding,” Langston said of the talented fullback. “He’s an elite athlete and his leadership as a captain is phenomenal. We’re very proud of him.”
Outside half Will Kelly kicked two penalties for McMaster.
McMaster began the second half in good position after an intelligent touch kick down the right sideline. But trailing by 18, the Marauders gave up possession deep in the UBC end. It was a costly turnover as the Thunderbirds came right back down the pitch and got a try from Allen to take a commanding 31-6 lead.
The match was tight for most of the first half until UBC pulled away late.
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Sauder was good on a penalty kick for an early 3-0 lead. UBC stretched it to 10-0 minutes later when flanker Jake Ikeda made a great run and flipped it to Smith for the first try of the match.
The OUA bronze medalists didn’t look phased and struck back with a 40-yard penalty kick from Kelly in the 16th minute. And they would take advantage of another UBC penalty 10 minutes later with Kelly getting three more points from a 32-yard kick.
McMaster’s brief run woke the Thunderbirds up, as they scored two late tries, the first from Lemkus, and the second on an impressive 60-yard sprint from Sauder, who converted his own scoring play to send his side to the half up 24-6.
McMaster head coach Dan Pletch was well aware of UBC’s firepower as a side that can put up 50 to 60 points a game against elite competition in the B.C. Premiership. He was pleased with how well his side battled.
“We put up a brave fight,” said Pletch. “We’re playing against probably the top team in the country. We’re real proud of our boys today.
“It was just a few mistakes here and there. UBC is such a clinical team, any little mistake we made defensively they turned into a try. But our guys really worked hard defensively and stepped in there and made their tackles.”
UBC will play the winner of the second Day 3 match between the Victoria Vikes and the host Guelph Gryphons.
“We have to trust the game plan and stick with it for 80 minutes,” Langston said of what is needed to leave Guelph with a gold medal.
Pletch said his Marauders will not go home and recover in preparation for Sunday’s bronze medal match.
“We have quite a few sore bodies,” he said. “We’ll do what we always do, show up and play our very best.
“It’s an opportunity to win a national bronze medal, which is a pretty special thing.”
31-6 UBC
58' UBC Try Theo Sauder Good (Theo Sauder) 38-6 UBC
Read MoreAll photos on this site are Copyright © Jeff Chan, and may be used for personal non-commercial applications including by Queen's University, and U SPORTS Canada and its member conferences, other participating teams, and in the case of concert photos, the artists, so long as photo credits are shown or the photos are otherwise attributed to Jeff Chan.
Jeff is Co-Chair of the inaugural Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship being held on November 16-19, 2017 at the University of Guelph.
All other rights, including for all corporate and media use, are strictly reserved.
=============================
UBC 38, McMaster 6
=============================
UBC DOWNS MAC 38-6 AND BOOKS PLACE IN GOLD MEDAL MATCH
Guelph Sports Information
The UBC Thunderbirds have booked a spot in the inaugural Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship gold medal game. The Thunderbirds defeated a courageous McMaster Marauders team 38-11 on a wet Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium
The Marauders played well and matched up in scrums against the powerful BC side but were eventually worn down, with the a strong UBC finish to the first half the main difference in the match. Thunderbirds’ head coach Ramses Langston said that once his players put ego aside, their level went up.
“They decided to do what they were asked to do,” the coach said. “What we see from this young group is that they have strong minds. Sometimes they think they’re right but they realize that the coaches and our game plan made a lot of sense and was very effective.”
Fullback Theo Sauder had two tries and five converts, while eight man Mike Smith, prop Clint Lemkus, and back row Nick Allen scored the other tries for UBC. Sauder was awarded Man of the Match.
“He’s outstanding,” Langston said of the talented fullback. “He’s an elite athlete and his leadership as a captain is phenomenal. We’re very proud of him.”
Outside half Will Kelly kicked two penalties for McMaster.
McMaster began the second half in good position after an intelligent touch kick down the right sideline. But trailing by 18, the Marauders gave up possession deep in the UBC end. It was a costly turnover as the Thunderbirds came right back down the pitch and got a try from Allen to take a commanding 31-6 lead.
The match was tight for most of the first half until UBC pulled away late.
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Sauder was good on a penalty kick for an early 3-0 lead. UBC stretched it to 10-0 minutes later when flanker Jake Ikeda made a great run and flipped it to Smith for the first try of the match.
The OUA bronze medalists didn’t look phased and struck back with a 40-yard penalty kick from Kelly in the 16th minute. And they would take advantage of another UBC penalty 10 minutes later with Kelly getting three more points from a 32-yard kick.
McMaster’s brief run woke the Thunderbirds up, as they scored two late tries, the first from Lemkus, and the second on an impressive 60-yard sprint from Sauder, who converted his own scoring play to send his side to the half up 24-6.
McMaster head coach Dan Pletch was well aware of UBC’s firepower as a side that can put up 50 to 60 points a game against elite competition in the B.C. Premiership. He was pleased with how well his side battled.
“We put up a brave fight,” said Pletch. “We’re playing against probably the top team in the country. We’re real proud of our boys today.
“It was just a few mistakes here and there. UBC is such a clinical team, any little mistake we made defensively they turned into a try. But our guys really worked hard defensively and stepped in there and made their tackles.”
UBC will play the winner of the second Day 3 match between the Victoria Vikes and the host Guelph Gryphons.
“We have to trust the game plan and stick with it for 80 minutes,” Langston said of what is needed to leave Guelph with a gold medal.
Pletch said his Marauders will not go home and recover in preparation for Sunday’s bronze medal match.
“We have quite a few sore bodies,” he said. “We’ll do what we always do, show up and play our very best.
“It’s an opportunity to win a national bronze medal, which is a pretty special thing.”
31-6 UBC
58' UBC Try Theo Sauder Good (Theo Sauder) 38-6 UBC
