RECAP: Ottawa claims first RSEQ Championship, clinches berth at National Championship

Photo: Juan Alchourron, Siuxy Sports.
Photo: Juan Alchourron, Siuxy Sports.
November 5, 2023

It was a historic day at Stade Jacques-Gauthier at Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal, where the Gee-Gees men's rugby team defeated ÉTS to claim their first RSEQ Championship in program history.

Coming down to the wire, Glenn Roy kicked a penalty kick from 34-yards in the 80th minute to give Ottawa a 18-17 advantage that they would hold onto to secure the win.

The Gee-Gees scored first with a team effort pushing towards the goal line that was capped off by Evan Roy diving in to draw first blood in the 16th minute. With his older brother converting the try, Ottawa established an early 7-0 lead.

ÉTS responded quickly with a try of their own in the 21st minute and tied the score with the conversion tacked on. Les Piranhas added another try late in the first half to take a 14-7 lead into the break.

11 minutes into the second half Glenn Roy booted an incredible 50-yard penalty kick to draw closer at 14-10.

Ottawa reclaimed the lead on an electrifying 60-yard dash by Donovan Tran, who broke two tackles on his way to putting the Gee-Gees up 15-14 in the 54th minute of action.

ÉTS reclaimed the lead in the 63rd minute, converting a penalty kick to take a two-point lead at 17-15. While both teams battled through the final 17 minutes, Glenn Roy's kick was the go-ahead score and handed the Gee-Gees their first conference title.

With the win, the Ottawa clinches their first berth at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship (CUMRC), a year before they are set to host in 2024.

While the Gee-Gees rugby program has been in existence as a club for decades, the team became a Varsity Club and joined the RSEQ in 2018. With their second visit to the RSEQ final two years, and their first win, the Gee-Gees have rose to the top of the conference in just five seasons. 

The CUMRC will run from November 15-19 in Langley, BC hosted at Willoughby Stadium at the Langley Events Centre. 

While final seeding will be announced following the OUA Championship next weekend, the teams in competition will be Trinity Western (Hosts), UBC, Victoria, Calgary, Queen's, Guelph, Ottawa, and Memorial.