The last time the rugby team played McMaster, it was a cold, wet day on the outskirts of Markham, Ont. and an OUA banner was on the line. Queen’s lost that game, and the ghosts of the past hadn’t left them when they hosted the Marauders at Kingston Field on Saturday afternoon.
That the Gaels shellacked the visiting Marauders 59-5 helped, though.
“It meant a lot to us,” Gaels’ lock Tom Binczyk said. “Especially the guys who played at Fletcher’s last year. We set a mission to accomplish this week and succeeded, but all eyes are focused for Fletcher’s again in November.”
Tries came from all across the board on Saturday, with first-year Liam Underwood picking up two tries along with winger Chris Barrett. Pat Richardson, Henry McQueen, Zach Pancer and Daniel Moor all scored tries for the Gaels while Ryan Kruyne made five conversions and three penalties for 19 points, keeping him first in OUA scoring.
The win was so embarrassing for the Marauders, in fact, that their head coach, Phil White, made the team stand underneath the scoreboard at the end of the game and took a picture that will hang in their dressing room.
Bincyzk said he’s amazed by his team’s depth.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played on a rugby team with this much depth,” he said. “Everyone coming off the bench is able to step right in. There’s a belief that anyone on our bench could start on any team in the OUA right now.”
With the team travelling to London next week to pay a visit to the similarly undefeated Western Mustangs, Bincyzk said they have a few more ghosts to shake off.
“[Head coach Peter Huigenbos] threw a stat at us the other day, we haven’t won at Western since 2001 so that’s a spectre that we want to get rid of,” he said. “There’s a quiet confidence about the team and we’re taking each game as it comes.”
Fly-half Graeme Dibden said Saturday’s win was an important for the team’s confidence.
“It was huge, both in of confidence and getting a win against one of the top teams. Going out to show we can win against anyone.”
The Gaels visit the Mustangs during Western’s Homecoming this Saturday, but Dibden said he doesn’t think their fans will affect the game the way a Queen’s crowd can.
“Our crowd’s unbelievable, [Kingston Field’s] not an easy place to play.”
Dibden said the game was important for the team’s playoff preparation.
“These are the teams we’re going to have to beat in the playoffs. It’s good to get practice against them and build up a scouting report because you know you’ll see McMaster and Western in the playoffs.”
The Gaels will kick off against Western this Saturday in London at 3 p.m.
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