Brock men's rugby drops 23-18 decision to Marauders

HAMILTON, Ont. - The Brock University men's rugby team had their season come to an end Wednesday afternoon on the road as they dropped a 23-18 decision to the third-seeded McMaster Marauders in the OUA quarter-finals.

Both teams started the game with two penalty goals a piece from Brock's Hugh McDonell (Brantford, Ont.) and the Marauders Andrew Ferguson (Mississauga, Ont.).

Before the end of the half, McMaster's Tyler Ardron (Lakefield, Ont.) would score off a nice run from a Marauder teammate, pushing it into the endzone. Ferguson would connect for the convert for the 13-6 lead at the end of the first half.

Brock would open up the scoring in the second half with a try from Mackenzie Redgate (Lindsay, Ont). McDonell would connect on the convert to tie the score 13-13. 

After the next 15 minutes of the half saw possession change often and field position move from end to end, the Marauders Jonathan Collins (Madawaska, Ont.) would break the tie with a try and convert from Ferguson for the 20-13 lead.

McMaster would further their lead later in the half with another penalty goal from Ferguson. 

Brock wouldn't give up that easily. The Badgers would put together some nice plays off a scrum getting the ball to Ty Riddick (Oshawa, Ont.) who pounded it into endzone for their second try of the match, but the convert would be missed. 

With a minute left in the game, Ardron would get sent to the sin bin off an unsportsmanlike play, giving the Badgers the opportunity to take the lead. Despite getting within inches of the endzone, and having a man advantage, Brock was unable to score on the Marauders defensive core. McMaster would earn the win 23-18 in a close fought battle. 

This marks the first time since the 2004 season that the Badgers have not reached the OUA semi-finals.