ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University men's rugby team (6-2-1 overall) defeated the Laurier Golden Hawks by the score of 36-22 to advance to the OUA semi-finals this Saturday at Guelph.

Laurier opened the scoring early in the first half to take a 5-0 lead. The Badgers offense then answered with 26 of the next 29 points, with single tries coming from Brandon Wright, Wade Little, Chris Gladney, Paul-Henri van Thiel and three converts from the OUA top scorer Connor Fitzsimmons, leading 26-8 at the half.

In the second half, Brock would go up 33-8 after a try by Matthew Mufandaedza. The Golden Hawks would then add back with back-to-back tries and two converts to make it 33-22 midway through the second half. Fitzsimmons added a penalty goal with 12 minutes remaining for some insurance, finishing with 11 points on the afternoon.

Scoring for Laurier were Andrew Thomson, Kieran Glover and Brandon Kostyk with single tries. Nathan Roberts chipped in with two converts and a penalty goal.

The Badgers now take on the second place Guelph Gryphons (7-1 OUA) in the OUA Semi-Finals Saturday. In the other semi-final McMaster travels to Kingston to take on the defending champion Queen's Gaels.