Humber men's rugby wins first provincial gold in a decade

The Humber men’s rugby team captured its eighth gold medal at the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) finals defeating the Conestoga Condors 33-14 on Nov. 9 at Brampton Rugby Club.  

The team ranked first in the West Division and finished the season undefeated for the fourth time in the team’s history. 

Fabian Rayne, Humber rugby’s head coach, said he felt ecstatic for the team’s achievement.  

“I don’t really cry on a regular basis, but I think I might’ve shed a tear or two at the end because I was just really happy that the guys were able to pull it together and pull off the win,” Rayne said. 

He said that he is proud of all the hard work that was put in to create a storybook ending for the seniors. 

Just five minutes into the start of the match, Seth Kirkham, a third-year hooker, burst through two tackles, and with the help of Timico Smith earned Humber’s first try. 

With the Hawks up by five, Conestoga came back with solid offence to earn their first try and convert the kick to record a score of 7-5. 

On the next drive, Humber came back with their second try, as Prince Ndukwe, a fourth-year winger on the men’s rugby team, added another conversion boosting the Hawks’ lead to 13-7. 

Late in the first half, the Hawks got another chance when Smith, a third-year winger on the men’s rugby team, would score his second try of the game. 

Ndukwe followed with another conversion, and Humber exited the first half up six. 

In the second half, Humber took off quickly gaining another try only seven minutes in, and he gave Humber another big lead of 26-6. 

Just 30 minutes from the gold, the Hawks were focused.  

But the Condors fought back with three chances in the Humber zone, but the Hawks kept them out each time. 

In the 70th minute, Ndukwe added the last try as he faked his way through and broke three tackles tossing defenders away. 

As seconds were left on the clock, Ndukwe ended up alone and scored with a finger pointed towards the sky. 

He nailed the conversion once again, giving Humber a 33-6 lead. 

The team stayed locked on defence for the rest of the game, but Conestoga got away and added another tally. 

But the Hawks would prove to be too much for the Condors, winning the game 33-14, while securing their first gold medal in ten years. 

Rayne, in his 10th season with the team, said that everyone played a vital role in the success of the team. 

He said the biggest aspect is not only having talented players but that they bought in and believed in what they were doing. 

Rayne said the goal for next and every season is to always win a championship. 

“We don’t start the season aiming to become second or third, we start the season looking to win,” he said. 

Humber's women's rugby sevens team won the OCAA bronze medal on Oct. 26 after defeating the Algonquin Wolves 27-7.