On a wet and cold Friday night on Varsity Field the Gryphons Men's Rugby Team looked to solidify their hold on a top three position in the OUA standings with a win over the Waterloo Warriors. The Gryphons did not disappoint their 200 plus fans at the game and came through with a 30-20 win over the Warriors.
Gryphons received scoring from six players on the night. It was an all veteran try scoring affair with Nick Walters, Mark Dinsmore, Rob Paris and Adam Maahs all finding the try zone. Joe Newman continued his scoring ways with two conversions and a penalty goal and rookie John West came through with a drop goal in the first half.
The Warriors started the first half scoring off with a penalty goal in the first half taking advantage of the Gryphons mistake in their own end. Joe Newman followed suit for the Gryphons only minutes later with his own penalty goal evening the score out. Play was back and forth and it was the Warriors that were able to find the try zone first. Ex Gryphon now Warrior Matteo Schwartzentruber was the first Waterloo player to score when he picked from the base of the scrum and ran in the short distance for the try. That was the end of the Warriors scoring for the first half and the rest of the scoring was all Gryphons.
Rookie John West having just narrowly missing a drop goal from near half minutes earlier was able to connect from 40 yards out with huge boot that stunned the crowd. Forwards Nick Walters, Mark Dinsmore and Rob Paris all found the try zone in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Joe Newman was good on two of three conversion attempts. At the end of the half, the Gryphons had a commanding lead of 25 to 10.
Not wanting to let down in the second half and secure the victory and a bonus point for four tries, the Gryphons kept the pressure on. It wasn't until half way through the half that Adam Maahs was able to scamper down the sideline dekeing out two Warriors to find the try zone. The Gryphons defense was able to hold their own and gave up only two tries to a very determined Waterloo side.
With veteran assistant captain Josh Morgan out of the game with a concussion, the starting pack picked up their game as did substitutes Lukas Gillham, Josh and Tom Van Horne and Steve Seccareccia. Seccareccia made a huge impact in the game when he entered early in the second half stealing ball from the Warriors and making great runs in the open field.
The four tries and the victory the Gryphons gained another five points in the standings to solidify their position at either second or third in the OUA depending on the results of the Queen's v Western game on Saturday afternoon.
Joe Newman as moved to the top of the OUA scoring leaders with his seven points on the night. Adam Maahs also moved up in the OUA scoring standings and sits tied for fifth with 20 points.
With the next two weeks off to heal from their aches and pains and to perfect their play, the Gryphons hope to resume with their winning ways when they take on the Toronto Varsity Blues on October 14 at home on Varsity Field. With only three games left in the regular season and two of the top teams left to play in McMaster and Queen's, the Gryphons know the road to the playoffs still has it challenges and focus and determination will be key in their success and securing a top three spot in the regular season standings.
Men's Rugby vs. Waterloo 2011 Gallery
