November 2, 2025

Gaels fend off Gryphons in chilly classic to claim bronze

In a classic OUA battle transplanted to the West Coast, the Queen's Gaels held off a ferocious challenge from the Guelph Gryphons to win the bronze medal at the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship, presented by The Rec Room Granville. The final score of 28-26 at Thunderbird Stadium on Sunday was a testament to the relentless effort from both sides, with the Gaels ultimately proving they could harvest a win under immense pressure.

The cool, grey conditions were a constant backdrop, creating a perfect atmosphere for a hard-hitting, back-and-forth affair. The game exploded to life early when Guelph's player of the game, Tausani Levale, broke through for a try in the 8th minute. Just as it seemed the Gryphons were cultivating an early lead, Queen's responded instantly. A try from Maya Brubacher and a conversion from Lizzie Gibson gave the Gaels a narrow 7-5 advantage.

The first half became a tug-of-war, perfectly illustrating the intensity of this third meeting of the season between the two archrivals. Levale struck again in the 18th minute, and a conversion from Amanda Sarabura put Guelph back in front. But Queen's, showcasing their resilience, answered right back through Tattyannah Jackson, with Gibson's boot maintaining her perfect conversion rate for a 14-12 lead.

The second half saw the temperature remain chilly, but the action was red-hot. Queen's seemed to take control when Kennedi Stevenson scored shortly after the break, followed by another Gibson conversion, to extend their lead to 21-12. But the Gryphons, true to their character, refused to be ploughed under. Tries from Taylor McKnight and Addy Holmes, both converted by Sarabura, brought Guelph to within a mere two points, trailing 28-26 with time winding down.

However, the Queen's defence, anchored by the stellar play of player-of-the game Olivia Dibua, held firm in the final minutes. They weathered the final Gryphons' assault to secure the national bronze medal, finishing their season with a 10-1 record (6-0 OUA). The Gryphons end their season at 7-4 (5-1 OUA) and a fourth-place finish nationally.