Late rally from Men's Rugby to extend win streak
By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications
BRAMPTON - Humber Rugby (3-0, 1st West) stayed on top of the OCAA with a 29-24 win over Conestoga (2-1, 3rd West) in a dramatic, last-minute victory on Friday. In a matchup between the only remaining undefeated teams in the West, Humber flexed its muscles on both ends of the field. Declan Forgie had a multi-try game, scoring two. Reuben Hill and Ivontae Cambronne scored their first tries of the season, and James Robb-Kennedy added another.
Game Recap
Humber started the game with an incredible defensive showing, holding Conestoga at the edge of the Hawks' try zone for three minutes before forcing a turnover and going the other way. The Hawks' first push was turned aside, but after turning back and regrouping, Declan Forgie ran in his first try of the game just four and a half minutes in. Prince Ndukwe would nail the conversion, giving Humber a 7-0 lead.
Conestoga would respond minutes later with seven points of their own, tying up the match. Conestoga would prove they were a closer match than Humber's last two games. Things would remain tied through the meat of the half. One thing Humber was dominating was the physical game. The Hawks were more prominent, meaner and tougher, showing no mercy to Conestoga.
Though the Condors were built smaller, this meant they were faster, and their speed gave them the lead after almost 40 minutes of play. They failed to convert and took a 12-7 lead right before the end of the half.
After the break, Conestoga took advantage of the space given by the kickoff, running in their third try of the afternoon just 30 seconds into the half. They would successfully convert the kick and take a 19-7 lead, meaning the Hawks would have to truly come back into a game for the first time this season.
Humber would score their first try of the half in the 52nd minute after some miscommunication about a stoppage in play would let Forgie score his second of the game right against the sideline, leaving little chance for a conversion. With the score now 19-12, Humber was visibly determined.
The Hawks were forcing heir way down the field each play with pure strength. In the 72nd minute, they broke through; with a scrum giving James Robb-Kennedy space to drive in Humber's third try of the game; this one on the other side of the field once again up against the sideline. The Hawks wouldn't covert on the tough angle kick but were now within two, just trailing 19-17.
It was Timico Smith who gave Humber the opportunity to take its first lead of the since the first quarter. The third-year wing had been Humber's most dynamic player all day pong and he would go on another great down the right side of the field before handing it off to Ivontae Cambronne. Cambronne managed to get the ball down right between the pipes, giving Prince Ndukwe an easy look for second conversion of the day, giving Humber a 24-19 lead in the 77th minute.
With the floodgates well and open now, Conestoga proceeded to give Humber a near-heartbreak. The Condors scored a last-minute try to tie the game, giving them an opportunity to take a two-point lead with the conversion. Fortunately for Humber, the Condors would miss the kick, giving Humber one last rush to win the game.
The Hawks would do just that, once again using pure muscle to work their way down the field. Stuck at the try line, Humber would continue to push until eventually they would inch the ball across the try-line. Reuben Hill would be credited with the try but it was truly a team effort to win the game in dramatic fashion.
Humber Highlights
- Reuben Hill scored his first career OCAA try.
- Declan Forgie has broken his season-high record for tries in just three games.
- With 171 points this season, the Humber Hawks have scored more points than the entire Eastern Conference combined (152).
What's Next?
Humber Rugby will visit Georgian College (2-1, 2nd West) in Barrie on Saturday, October 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
