RECAP: Men’s rugby roars back to beat Piranhas, clinch playoff spot

Ottawa erased a 12-point second half deficit to defeat the ETS Piranhas 24-17 Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at Matt Anthony Field.

The win marked the fourth on the season for the Gee-Gees – the most they've accumulated since joining the RSEQ in 2018. James Flemming, Toff Patel, Simba Gumbo and Duncan Hladik scored tries for Ottawa.

"We set a goal at the start of the season to break that record," said Flemming when asked about the team earning a winning record on the year. "It doesn't matter which game we did it in, we did it."

"Resiliency was great and I would have loved it if we made less errors," said Gee-Gees coach Andrew Armstrong. "I think we get so ready to play the top teams, that sometimes we forget the teams that are in the middle tier, like we are, are really good and prepared."

ETS started the match strong and lead by a 17-5 score moments into the second half. Flemming, playing in perhaps his final game at Matt Anthony Field, scored the Gee-Gees try.

Ottawa found their footing midway through the second half. Toff Patel scored his first try of the season, and Simba Gumbo sent the ferocious crowd into a frenzy with a long, mazy run for the score. Gumbo carried the ball over 70 yards after receiving it from Glenn Roy and Flemming.

Jamie Armstrong converted both tries. Hladik capped off the scoring, earning Ottawa a key bonus point for scoring four tries or more.

Kieran Blair went down with an injury in the first half, so Sullivan Murphy filled in at the Number 9 position.

"Sullivan is a guy who's had a bit of a run here and there," said Andrew Armstrong. "He had to play massive minutes, but did a good job. It was baptism by fire in a tough game."

The Gee-Gees were without the services of Sam Mace, who was attending Toronto Arrows training camp.

Ottawa finishes the season with a 4-2 record and 21 total points. They will finish no worse than third in the RSEQ standings, and could finish as high as first depending on results next week. 

The conference playoffs get underway Saturday, Oct. 30.