Redmen ruggers stung by Stingers, win streak ends at 15
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MONTREAL -- Concordia rallied with 10 points in the final eight minutes to upset ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ 17-10 in men's university rugby at Percival Molson Stadium, Sunday. The result snapped ±«ÓãÖ±²¥'s 15-game win streak over QURL opponents, dating back to October, 2008.
All of the scoring took place in the second half. Trailing 10-7 with 10 minutes remaining, the Stingers tied the score on a penalty goal by Xavier Birot, a native of Bordeaux, France. Two minutes later, Concordia took control of the game when Birot converted a try by Guillaume Laine, a freshman from Montreal.
"Losing is never a fun experience and I think the players felt it the most," said Redmen head coach Craig Beemer. "We have been very fortunate here at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥, we have had a lot of talent and all the players have worked very hard during the streak. There were a lot of disappointed men in our locker room after the game. Concordia played well and deserved the win. They capitalized on the few opportunities they had and often that makes all the difference in the game. As the coach I am disappointed, but I am happy with how competitive the league has been this year and this loss could be the wake up call we need."
±«ÓãÖ±²¥ had opened the scoring about 13 minutes into the second stanza when Roderick MacKenzie, a six-foot-four junior from Vancouver, B.C., touched down in the endzone. The ensuing conversion by Gideon Balloch put the defending conference champion Redmen ahead 7-0.
Concordia evened the count at 7-7 in the 65th minute when flanker Curtis McKinney of Calgary scored a try, converted by Birot.
The Redmen bounced back in the 80th minute on Balloch's penalty goal, setting the stage for Concordia's late heroics.
Despite the setback, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ finishes regular season play atop the QURL standings with a 5-1 record and will the host fourth-place Sherbrooke (0-6) in a sudden-death semifinal on Nov. 7. The second-place Stingers (4-1) will close out the regular season at Bishop's (2-3) on Oct. 29.
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SCORING SUMMARY
Concordia 17, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ 10
(at Percival Molson Stadium)
NOTE: Times listed below are estimates
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First Half
(no scoring)
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Second Half
1.±«ÓãÖ±²¥ - Try: Roderick Mackenzie (Gideon Balloch convert) 58:00
2.Concordia - Try: Curtis McKinney (Xavier Birot convert) 65:00
3.±«ÓãÖ±²¥ - Penalty goal Gideon Balloch 80:00
4. Concordia - Penalty goal Xavier Birot 82:00
5. Concordia - Try Guillaume Laine (Xavier Birot convert) 84:00
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SCORING BY HALF
Concordia.........Ìý 0 - 17 -- 17
±«ÓãÖ±²¥..............Ìý 0 - 10 -- 10
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
±«ÓãÖ±²¥
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
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