HUMBER HAWKS SOAR TO GOLD

With rain in the forecast and evidence of the water already at the field, the top four team in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Division 1 rugby squared off at Fletcher’s Fields in Markham, vying for provincial championship medals. The games were tightly contested and when the mud settled, the Humber Hawks emerged as Champions for the second consecutive year and the Mohawk Mountaineers found themselves atop the bronze medal podium.

After posting as 6-1 regular season record, Humber continued their march to the crown, defeating the Fleming Knights (4-3) in a tightly contested match 28-7. Humber was led by rookie flanker David Lambden-Milliken and his dominant play throughout the game. Following the contest he was selected as the Man of the Match for his outstanding play. The Knights proved to be a true test to the Hawks, as they maintained constant pressure on the ball and continued to elevate their played in the second half even after losing a player to a jaw injury.

In the end, Lambden-Miliken and his fellow Hawks were just too much for the Knights who’s silver medal now gives them 10 medals in the past 11 seasons. Aside from Lambden-Miliken’s try, also scoring for the Hawks in the victory were Rob Lefler (try, convert), Dale Essue (try), Matt Stanfield (try) and Brendan Baines (try).

In the Bronze medal game, the Mohawk Mountaineers took on the defending silver medalist Seneca Sting and etched out a narrow and bitter fought victory 29-20. The OCAA’s men’s rugby all-time leading scorer, James Cumpson, was his usual force on the field for the Mountaineers and led his team to the victory once again.

“It is so gratifying to earn a victory with this team,” said Head Coach Alex Paris. “I am so happy for the graduating class to have this memory to take with them.”

Despite the loss, Seneca’s Adam Walsh was named the Bronze medal game Man of the Match.

Following the championship match the teams celebrated the end of the season in typical rugby fashion as the OCAA honoured its best. Mohawk Mountaineers Head Coach, Alex Paris was named the OCAA Coach of the Year. “I am very humbled to be honoured by my peers,” said the 10 year veteran coach on winning the award.

Listed below are the Division I League All-stars and major award winners.

OCAA Division I All-stars
Adrian Buccella – Seneca
Patrick Arthur – Seneca
Steve Johnston – Mohawk
James Cumpson – Mohawk
Jason Chuck – Humber
Graham Haigh – Humber
Bryan McCooeye – Georgian
Richard Bethell – Georgian
Matt Jolie - Conestoga
Jake VanDyk – Conestoga
Chris Simmons – Fleming Peterborough
Eric Abbott – Fleming Peterborough

Coach of the Year:
Alex Paris – Mohawk

Division I Scoring Champion:
Graham Haigh – Humber