GUELPH, Ont. – For the fifth time in program history, and the second time in as many years, the Guelph Gryphons are OUA champions in men's rugby. On Sunday afternoon (Nov. 13) in snowy conditions at the University of Guelph's grass rugby pitch, the Gryphons successfully defended their conference title, defeating the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks by a score of 28-19 to claim the 2022 Turner Trophy in front of 1,195 fans.
It marks the 5th OUA title in program history for the Guelph Gryphons, who have now claimed the OUA title in 2022, 2021, 2016, 1998 and 1974.
The Gryphons scored three tries in the opening half, with Connor McKinley (9th minute),
Jack Morris (16th) minute and
Collin Smibert (31st minute) all touching down to help the Gryphons take a 21-7 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Golden Hawks were able to fight back to make it a one-score game midway through the second half when Laurier's Matt Bagiamas scored his second try of the match in the 52nd minute to make it a 21-14 game. But the Gryphons would restore the two-score advantage in the 63rd minute on a try from Cam Hurst, putting the Gryphons back in front 28-14.
The Golden Hawks, appearing in their first ever OUA title game, would continue to fight hard late in the match, with Nick Harrington scoring a try in the 77th minute to trim the deficit to 28-19.
However, the ensuing Laurier convert attempt would sail just wide of the upright, keeping the Gryphon lead at nine. The final whistle would sound soon after, giving the Gryphons a 28-19 victory and their 5th OUA title in program history.
Of the Gryphons five OUA men's rugby titles, three have come on their home field, with the Gryphons having also won on home soil in 2016 (versus Queen's) and 1998 (versus Western). While the OUA portion of the 2022 men's rugby season has culminated, both the Gryphons and Golden Hawks will now move on to the national stage, with both teams qualifying for the 2022 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships, set to take place Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Minute |
School |
Type |
Player |
Convert |
Score |
| 9th |
GUELPH |
TRY |
Connor McKinney |
GOOD (Kobe Faust) |
7 - 0 Guelph |
| 16th |
GUELPH |
TRY |
Jack Morris |
GOOD (Kobe Faust) |
14 - 0 Guelph |
| 31st |
GUELPH |
TRY |
Collin Smibert |
GOOD (Kobe Faust) |
21 - 0 Guelph |
| 40th |
LAURIER |
TRY |
Matt Bagiamas |
GOOD (Adam McNee) |
21 - 7 Guelph |
| 52nd |
LAURIER |
TRY |
Matt Bagiamas |
GOOD (Adam McNee) |
21 - 14 Guelph |
| 63rd |
GUELPH |
TRY |
Cameron Hurst |
GOOD (Kobe Faust) |
28 - 14 Guelph |
| 77th |
LAURIER |
TRY |
Nick Harrington |
NO GOOD |
28 - 19 Guelph |
