WINNING STREAKS COLLIDE IN OCAA MEN'S RUGBY TITLE MATCH

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. - The Trent Excalibur and Humber Hawks men's rugby teams meet on Sunday to determine this year's champion in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).

The OCAA gold medal match will take place at Justin Chiu Stadium in Peterborough, Ont.

Humber (7-0-0, 1st West) at Trent (7-0-0, 1st East)
Sunday, Nov. 18 - 1 p.m.

Two-time defending champion Humber is a juggernaut of historic proportions, establishing new OCAA regular season records scoring 663 points, 107 tries and 64 converts in six matches. Humber surpassed the 100-point barrier in all six matches, allowing 10 points the entire season.

Humber is led by OCAA men's rugby player of the year Phil Boone (Brampton), the overall OCAA scoring champion. Boone scored 14 tries while adding an OCAA regular season record 48 converts. His 166 total points is also an OCAA single season record.

Fellow OCAA all-star Jason Chuck (Mississauga) contributed eight tries for the Hawks during their perfect regular season. Humber defeated Seneca 41-7 in its OCAA semifinal match.

Trent is also undefeated, outscoring the opposition 230-65 in six regular season games. OCAA rookie of the year Kevin Blunck (Peterborough) scored a team-leading six tries and 30 points. OCAA all-star teammate Steve Lebrun (Ottawa) scored three tries during the regular season.

The Excalibur defeated Algonquin 22-12 in the other OCAA semifinal.

Trent earned its first OCAA medal in school history last year, earning bronze. While a silver medal represents improvement, no doubt the Excalibur have their target set on gold.

Trent lost both meetings against Humber in 2011.

Algonquin (5-3-0, 3rd East) at Seneca (5-3-0, 2nd East)
Saturday, Nov. 17 - 2 p.m.

Semifinal losers and division rivals Seneca and Algonquin meet in the OCAA bronze medal match on Saturday. Ironically, both teams were awarded silver last season when men's rugby was structured as Division I and II.

Seneca is led by East scoring champion Chad Bain (Belleville). The veteran forward scored 10 tries in six matches. Fellow OCAA all-star Jesse Lofthouse (Stouffville) contributed five tries and 10 converts.

Algonquin features OCAA all-stars Dan Burley (Belleville) and Jeremy Nesbitt (Lindsay). Burley scored three tries, while Nesbitt booted eight converts and two penalty kicks. This is Algonquin's second season on the OCAA men's rugby circuit after entering Division II last season.

These teams met once during the regular season, with Seneca winning 21-0. Bain and Lofthouse both scored a try each in the victory.

Seneca has won an OCAA record 12 medals in men's rugby as it looks for a baker's dozen.

Championship Schedule
Saturday, November 17
Bronze Medal Match
Algonquin at Seneca - 2 p.m.
*Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match

Sunday, November 18
Gold Medal Match
Humber at Trent - 1 p.m.
*OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com