Guelph, ON – The Guelph Gryphons men's rugby team's dream was to lift the Turner Trophy as OUA champions for the first time in 17 seasons. Guelph's talented and inspired side came so close to achieving it on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field. But the visiting Queen's Gaels held on to defeat the Gryphons 24-23 in a gripping, intense match, the second consecutive OUA Final that Guelph has lost to the rivals from Kingston.
 
The Gryphons had an opportunity to win it and fulfill that dream. Trailing 24-18 and needing a try in the dying minutes of the match, speedy scrum half Riley DiNardo burst down the left side for five critical points. Aside from a few Queen's supporters, Varsity Field went quiet as fourth-year fly half Nate Stein, handling the kicking duties for just his second game, set up for a convert that would give Guelph a one-point lead with little time remaining. The kick sailed just right of the post and Queen's hung on until the whistle went.
 
In the aftermath, the tears flowed from the spent Gryphon players.
 
"That's two years in a row," said Coach Darrell Devine, referring to last season's 32-23 loss in the final. "We just didn't execute the way we wanted to. This will definitely sting for a bit."
 
Buoyed by both the desire to win a championship and a rowdy home crowd, Guelph showed resilience throughout the match and took advantage of opportunities. After the Gaels were penalized for a straight arm in the opening minutes, Stein got things started with an incredible kick from just inside the halfway line of the pitch for a 3-0 Guelph lead.
 
When Queen's picked things up offensively, the Gryphons had an answer. Third-year winger Kainoa Lloyd got the Gaels on the scoreboard with a try (his first of two in the match) and the subsequent conversion made it 7-3 for the visitors. But Guelph responded immediately when Queen's muffed a lineout and turned the ball over. Benjamin Wust, only moments after going to the ground clutching his shoulder in pain, courageously ran in the Gryphons' first try.  Stein's convert made it 10-7.
 
Guelph added to the lead when Adam Maahs ran in another but a missed conversion meant the hosts went into the half up 15-7. The Gryphons were given a yellow card as the half ended and Queen's took full advantage with Guelph down a man.
 
"Penalties hurt us," said Devine. "There was a 14-point swing after that yellow."
 
With both sides desperate, there was a flurry of scoring early in the second half. After Lloyd earned his second try, Guelph fullback Jon West scored three points on a beautiful drop goal. OUA MVP Lucas Rumball then added another try for the Gaels and when Colborne's convert was good, Queen's went up 24-18, setting the stage for DiNardo's run and the dramatic finish.
 
Despite the gutting loss, the talk amongst the Gryphons was of love and brotherhood as they exchanged hugs with the crowd screaming its support.
 
"We're a very close team," said Devine, disappointed but appreciative of his players' effort. "One game doesn't define us. We have lots to be proud of."
 
Guelph Scoring Leaders
 
Nathaniel Stein – 5 pts
Benjamin Wust – 5 pts
Adam Maahs – 5 pts
Riley DiNardo – 5 pts
Jonathan West – 3 pts
 
Queen's Scoring Leaders
 
Kainoa Lloyd – 10 pts
Alex Colborne – 9 pts
Lucas Rumball – 5 points