Genaro Gandolfo Brignoli scored for Langley’s Trinity Western University on the final play of the match to cap a dramatic come-from-behind victory, as the Spartans defeated Queen’s Gaels 27-24 in the fifth-place match at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship Sunday afternoon, Nov. 19, at Willoughby Stadium.
Scoring for the Spartans were Lynden Duggan with two tries, and Connor Bernardin, and Brignoli with a try each. Matthew Willemse also added a try and two conversions.
Daniel Svoboda with two tries, Cameron Lyman, Evan Raymond with a try, and Marcus D’Acre with two converts were the point-getters for the Gaels.
Gaels were up 24-13, but with six minutes remaining, the Spartans started the comeback. TWU’s Bernardin scored a converted try to make it a four-point game with TWU trailing 24-20.
With three minutes remaining the Gaels turned over the ball deep in the Spartans’ territory.
TWU then used a ground and kicking attack to move the ball down the pitch. With the clock past the 60-minute mark, Spartans’ Gandolfo Brignoli broke through the line and evaded tackles up the middle of the pitch to score the game-winning try.
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Sunday night, the no. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds outmatched the No. 2 Victoria Vikes on their way to an 41-7 victory for their third straight Canadian championship.
Trinity Western University, in partnership with the Langley Events Centre and the Township of Langley, hosted the national event, the third time it has been held in B.C.
It featured eight teams competing for the Spence McTavish Trophy, named after the UBC Rugby legend and former Canadian national team captain.