Steven Commerford scored a pair of tries and added a total of 19 points as the Brock men's rugby team opened the OUA season with a 34-19 win over the Western Mustangs at Brock Alumni Field on Sunday.

The match marked a return to the field for Commerford, a third-year flyhalf who missed last season due to injury, as he chipped in three converts and a penalty kick.

"Steve bouncing back from injury was encouraging for us to see, and the way he took control of the game today was a pleasant surprise," said head coach Phil Sullivan. "We also had a lot of new players emerge such as Jack Cheshire, Adam Melia and Daniel Challice. They fit right in."

Melia, Cheshire and Zach Zorbas each scored a try for Brock.

The Badgers' defensive play held the Mustangs scoreless in the first half.

"We definitely had a mission to accomplish and the guys were focused," said Sullivan. "Our first half was excellent and we started to get a little sloppy near the end with penalties, but it was a good, solid game that we're happy with."

In the second, the Mustangs found themselves in a place they didn't want to be in and responded as Connor Seto, Stephen Kim and Mikko Vorster each plunged into the end zone.

"There were times in the first half where we played 16 consecutive faces of defence and we stopped them, and that happened multiple times," said Sullivan. "That takes its toll, so there's a few break downs and the tackles might not be as low as you want them. We need to be able to play 80 solid minutes, which is something we'll review when we go over tape tomorrow."

The last time Brock came close to defeating Western was in 2014 during their bronze-medal winning season when they tied the Mustangs 17-17.

"I don't think we've beaten Western in 10 years," said Sullivan. "They've always been a strong team and a tough matchup for us."

Up next, the Badgers (1-0) travel to Hamilton to play the McMaster Marauders (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.