Men's Rugby rolls Durham in 2024 home opener
By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications
BRAMPTON - Humber rugby (2-0, 1st West) stayed undefeated and won its home opener with a 58-22 win against Durham (0-2, 4th East). The Hawks scored ten tries in this match, led by Prince Ndukwe with a hat trick, while adding four conversions. Ngatukumbe Kaukumangera also had multiple tries for the second game in a row, amassing two.
Match Recap
Coming off the momentum of an astounding 84-0 shutout win in Ottawa, Humber Rugby looked to pick off right where they left off. The Hawks would get the start they wanted, scoring their try of the game just over two minutes in. The Hawks would successfully push a scrum into the try zone for the first 5.
Now up 5-0, the Hawks continued to dominate. They forced a turnover in their own end and Prince Ndukwe would go on a fantastic run, splitting the defence and scoring a try right between the uprights. The Hawks would convert on the point and take a 12-0 lead. It was all gas no brakes from the hawks as they were flying now. The next try would be scored shortly after Gospel Ogoanah deked the entire Durham roster with a head fake at centre. Ogoanah would turn on the jets and outrun the remaining defenders, scoring a beautiful try. The Hawks would convert on the ensuing kick, stretching their early lead to 19-0 just 15 minutes into the game.
Durham would get sustained pressure after the try, pushing Humber back against it's own try zone. The Lords would score shortly after in the 22nd minute. They would convert on the points and cut down Humber's lead, 19-7.
The Hawks would take it right back after the try, pushing the Lords back deep into their own zone in the 25th minute. Durhams line would hold briefly but Seth Kirkham was just too strong. The third-year hook would burst through Durhams defence and score Humber fourth try of the game. The Hawks would convert on the points and take a 26-7 lead.
The Hawks would keep their foot on the gas after the try. They recovered the ball shortly after and would run in yet another try. This time it was Prince Ndukwe muscling his way into the zone. Humber would convert on the points, stretching their lead to 33-7. Ndukwe wasn't done there though as he would single-handedly recover the ball, break through the entire Lords team and run it the length of the field for a highlight-reel try, increasing the lead to 38-7 and completing his hat trick.
Durham would respond with a try of their own minutes later, cutting into Humbers lead slightly. They would fail to convert on the points but would make the score 38-12.
Humber would score once more at the end of the half, with Ngatukumbe Kaukumangera cutting through the Durham line to score a sharp-angled try, Humber's seventh of the game, bolstering the lead to 43-12. That would be the score going into halftime.
The game slowed down noticeably after the first half. Humber was up big and Durham was obviously gassed, tasked with controlling the best offence in the OCAA. Humber would score their first of the half in the 51st minute after the Hawks would push a scrum into the try zone, pushing the lead to 48-12. Prince Ndukwe would make the defensive play of the game minutes later, pulling a Durham out of the try zone to deny a sure-try.
Humber would score once again in the 68th minute after #20 made a great fake and created all kinds of open space for Ngatukumbe Kaukumangera to score yet again, making the lead 53-12. Durham would actually respond shortly after with a try of their own. The Lords would fail to convert on the points but would make it a 53-17 lead for Humber.
Things stayed intense until the final whistle. Durham was paying for pride and made Humber know that they weren't going to roll over and give in. The Lords would push through one last try in the dwindling moments of the game, they would fail to convert on the sharp-angled kick, making the score 53-22.
In response, Humber showed Durham that they could do whatever they wanted. The Hawks meandered their way down the field to score their tenth try of the afternoon. A buzzer beater to secure the commanding victory. The Hawks would convert the points to finish the game 58-22.
Humber Highlights
- Humber is averaging a whopping 72 ppg so far this season.
- Prince Ndukwe has five tries in two games so far this season.
- The Hawks improve to 3-2 all-time against Durham.
- Ngatukumbe Kaukumangera now has four tries in two games.
What's next?
Humber will face Conestoga (1-0, 2nd West) on September 27 at Humber Valley Field. The match is scheduled for 4:30 PM and you can catch all the action live on the Hawks Sports Network.
