The Gryphons fell 21-16 to the visiting Western Mustangs today (Nov 4) in the OUA Semi Finals.  The Gryphons will now host the Brock Badgers next Sunday in a bronze medal game. 
 
Looking to replicate their earlier success against the Western Mustangs which saw the Gryphons walk away with a 12-5 victory, the Gryphons came out strong in an effort to ruin the Mustangs' second consecutive trip to the OUA finals.  With a steal on the opening kick-off, the Gryphons quickly established the defensive tempo that would remain strong throughout the first half.
 
Yet despite the strong offensive drives on both sides of the ball, the defensive units were determined to regain possession of the ball to prevent any trips into the try zones.  Joe Newman (Waterdown, Ont) would earn the solo score of the half after he kicked for points from 40 yards to put Guelph up 3-0 to close the half.
 
Early in the second, the Mustangs were determined to rectify their earlier mistakes with a strong break from Jeremy McCarty (Lindsay, Ont) to blow past the Gryphon wing-line to put the Mustangs up 5-3.
 
Gryphon miscues kept the ball in the Guelph half and a questionable call led to a deep kick from Mike Turnbull (Oakville, Ont) to extend to 8-3.
 
After several unsuccessful trips into the Mustang 22, a strong string of runs brought the Gryphons into familiar territory and a quick dish off to Braden Stuble (St. George, Ont) for Guelph's first trip into the try zone to tie the game up at eight.
 
A second deep penalty against Guelph gave Western a chance to regain the lead.  And, as Turnbull lined up for the third time, his aim would stay true to go 2-3 to put the Mustangs up 11-8.
 
Minutes later, the Gryphon backs responded with a strong break through into the Western 22.  A quick pass to fullback P Sinel (Toronto, Ont) would throw him into open field to punch Guelph's go-ahead ticket as they jumped up 13-11.  Joe Newman's point after extended the lead to four.
 
Western retaliated with consecutive attacks deep in Gryphon territory, but were kept out on all attempts.  Determined to break the Gryphon resolve, the Mustangs grew excited and dropped a knock-on to give Guelph control of the scrum.  Unfortunately, P Sinel was injured on the play and he would not return.
 
A quick Guelph kick temporarily relieved the defensive effort, but the relief was quickly cut short as two strong Western runs brought them right back to Guelph's doorstep.  Their tenacious presence in Gryphon 22 eventually wore down the Gryphon defensive unit as Sebastian Pearson (Lindsay, Ont) snuck through to regain a 16-15 lead with 1:34 left in the game.
 
Another try from Mike Turnbull following a couple Gryphon cough-ups sealed the game at 21-15 to send the Mustangs to their second consecutive OUA championship as they travel to Kingston next weekend to face the Queen's Gaels.  The Gryphons will settle for a trip to the consolation finals as they host the Brock Badgers at Varsity Field.  Both games kick off at 12:00 on November 11.