HUMBER 24, ALGONQUIN 16

ETOBICOKE, Ont. - The Humber Hawks clinched their fourth consecutive OCAA gold medal against the Algonquin Thunder in a game that saw all the great qualities that defines rugby - determination, strength, impressive passing and strategy.

Algonquin's scrum-half Max Schafer made the first run of the game, just seconds after the opening whistle blew. With Algonquin on the cusp of scoring a try the Hawks denied the Thunder and flyhalf James Mitchell kicked the ball out of Humber's red zone. The Thunder were later awarded a penalty that winger Cale Meester kicked for a three-point lead for Algonquin.

Humber's prop Steven Boisseneau bulldozed his way through Algonquin's defence. Unfortunately the Hawks couldn't do much with Boisseneau's drive. Later on the Thunder were awarded another penalty kick which Meester converted for another three points putting the Thunder at a 6-0 lead.

The best opportunity the Hawks had was a quick run from inside Daniele Patrizi. After three pinpoint passes, the last one went too far away and Humber lost their chance. With Algonquin in control of the rock, Patrizi took it upon himself to tackle the runner with a hit that could've broken some ribs. Humber took charge with flyhalf Tyler Neil leading the way. Neil stayed on his feet with three Thunder defenders on him and made a great pass to second row Greg Giliauskas for another close chance. Even though the Hawks couldn't score they were making progress and getting closer with each play.

Now Algonquin was on the move and the Thunder runner was double-teamed by Mitchell and scrum-half Benoit Jones-Osborne. That play led to a yellow card for Mitchell and another Thunder penalty kick.

Kicks took over the next 10 minutes of the half and then the Thunder got a kick they could handle to make a run for the end zone. Unluckily for Algonquin, Humber's back Jordan Brown was there to take the runner down. The next play saw a yellow card for Algonquin's hit on front row Curtis Lauzon that left him on the field for a few minutes. Lauzon willed himself to get up and stay in the game. Lauzon's determination was the game-changer and the Blue and Gold took that in stride; the boys were pumped up.

The next scrum changed the game. A pass out from a scrum in Humber's end found winger Adam Chianello for a breath-taking sprint down the field for the first try of the match. Outside John Sheridan came in to kick for a two-point convert kick and the Hawks found a 7-6 lead.

That's exactly what the Hawks needed. Fly-half Joseph Ginsberg took the rock from the next pass out of a scrum and found an opening to burst through Algonquin's line of defence to run down the sideline for another Humber try. Sheridan kicked his second conversion kick and the Hawks went into half-time on a high note and a 14-6 lead.

The Thunder made it very clear that they wanted the ball in the start of the second half. Algonquin got the ball in the Hawks red zone and closed out their threat with flanker Carl Williams breaking the line and scoring a try. The Thunder closed down Humber's margin to 14-11.

Algonquin was too close for comfort and Humber's defence worked tight defence to force the Thunder out of their end. Jones-Osborne rocked a Thunder player who was ready to catch a ball in midair and Ginsberg took down the next player trying to make a run for the end zone.

The Thunder accounted for two more sin bin yellow cards but the Thunder and Hawks were playing with a man down. Algonquin was on the run and made a mad-dash down the sideline until Benoit-Jones knocked him down and immediately took the ball away.

Humber got close to breaking through for a try but that opportunity was quashed. Veteran 8-man Jason Chuck finally checked into the game after being sidelined with a knee injury since the home opener. Chuck put the squad in check and they went to work once again. Sheridan picked off an Algonquin pass and would've had a clear shot at a try but the play was stopped.

The Blue and Gold's spirits weren't dampened and they kept plugging away. With a looming deep penalty kick, Sheridan stayed composed and made the difficult kick for three points and increased Humber's lead to 17-11.

The Thunder took the ball to Humber's red zone and maintained a goal line stand for four plays. The Hawks used all their might and strength and they successfully kept the Thunder out of the end zone before any damage was done. Patrizi was later given a yellow card and was sent to the sin bin, but that didn't affect the Hawks and they forced a Thunder turnover in the Hawks end zone.

With a chance to clear the ball, Mitchell went to kick it out from in front of the goal line. What happened next shocked everyone in the Valley. Mitchell's kick was blocked by Schafer and he took the ball in for a try and put the Thunder within one point of Humber's lead. With the win on the line, Meester was up for a conversion kick but had a very sharp angle to deal with. Meester gave a great kick provided the angle he was on and nearly missed the upright, and maintain Humber's 17-16 lead.

After that scare the Hawks wanted some insurance to keep the Thunder as far away as possible with time was running out. Mitchell came in clutch and provided that relief by muscling his way through the midfield pack of defenders and running down the pitch for the game-clinching try.

Sheridan added another two-point convert kick to make him six-for-seven for kicks on the match. Humber took a 24-16 lead and that's all they needed to be crowned the 2013 OCAA champions.

Algonquin's Max Schafer and Humber's Benoit Jones-Osborne were chosen at the championship match players of the game. Schafer was rewarded for the try he scored by sacrificing his body to block a kick and gaining control of the fumble. Jones-Osborne was Humber's man of the match for his phenomenal defence and for being at the right place at the right time to stop numerous Thunder scoring opportunities.

Source: Humber College