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Gryphons off to good start at rugby nationals

Guelph Gryphons rookie Brenden Black scored a game-winning try on the last play of the game
GuelphToday Staff
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The Guelph Gryphons men's rugby team advanced to the Canadian University men's rugby championship semi-final after a dramatic win in Vancouver Wednesday.Chuck Russell

VANCOUVER – It was a nailbiter for the favoured Guelph Gryphons.

But a game-winning try on the final play of the game propelled the men's rugby team to the U Sports semi-final after a 28-22 win over Newfoundland's Memorial University Sea-Hawks Wednesday.

Despite some early pressure, Guelph found themselves trailing Memorial 14-0 at the half.

But the OUA champions and second ranked team in the national tournament was not going to go down easily. Guerschom Mukendi got the Gryphons on the board with a try in the 39th minute, before Kobe Faust tied the game three minutes later on a try and convert.

Guelph eventually took the lead in the 50th minute on a try from Charles Trollip, before Memorial tied the game again four minutes later.

Then, drama unfolded in the 60th and final minute of the game, when Memorial converted on a penalty to put them up 22-21. But since the 60 minutes were up, Guelph was able to keep the play alive because Memorial couldn't kick the ball into touch.

That set the stage for rookie Brenden Black.

With the ball on their own side of half, the fly half got the ball with some daylight in front of him down the left side.

Black used all of it, sprinting down and reaching for the game-winner.

Guelph will take on either UBC or Calgary in the final four Friday night at 8 p.m.

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