Late try lifts Rugby over Grizzlies in thriller
By: Nina Kersnik
Humber Athletics Communications
BRAMPTON – Humber rugby (3-0, 1st OCAA) defeated the Georgian Grizzlies (2-1, 3rd OCAA) in a very physical match on a warm and windy Saturday afternoon at Brampton Rugby Club, 22-19. Cooper Markou was named the man of the match for the Hawks, recording two tries in the win.
Match recap
Humber came out with intent, pressing hard on defence in the opening minutes and pinning Georgian deep in their own half. The Hawks controlled the width, shutting down the Grizzlies' attempts to break through the gain line.
In the ninth minute, Georgian found some momentum and worked their way into Humber territory. Soon after, the Grizzlies struck first as rookie fly-half Carson Michals sliced through on the left wing to touch down over the try line. The conversion was good, giving Georgian a 7–0 lead inside 15 minutes.
Humber responded by grinding their way back upfield, hammering phases inside the Grizzlies' 22 but spilling the ball under pressure. With eight minutes remaining in the half, Cooper Markou finally powered through contact to score Humber's opening try—his third of the season. Fly-half Joshua Dunbar stepped up for the conversion, but his strike shaved wide of the uprights.
Just before the break, Humber seized momentum again. After a blistering run from Gospel Ogoanah down the right touchline, winger Reuben Hill finished off the move with the Hawks' second try. The conversion attempt went astray, but Humber carried a 10–7 lead into halftime.
The Grizzlies came out firing after the restart, crossing for their second try of the match and slotting the extras to reclaim a 14–10 advantage. Humber answered quickly, punching back in the 48th minute with a determined drive over the line to reclaim a narrow 15–14 edge on a Matt Gianfriddo try, though the conversion missed once more.
The match tightened as both sides battled for territory. Georgian looked set to score again in the 61st minute, but Humber produced a clutch try-line turnover to deny them. Still, the Grizzlies broke through with 14 minutes to play, touching down for a 19–15 lead. Their conversion sailed wide.
The Hawks refused to fold. In the 73rd minute, they surged downfield off a turnover but were stopped short after a lineout. Humber kept pressing, and in the dying stages, Markou struck again—crashing over for his second try of the day. This time, the conversion was true, pushing the Hawks ahead 22–19.
Humber held strong in the final moments to close out the comeback win, improving to 2–0 on the season.
Humber Highlights
- The Hawks improve to 16-7 all-time against Georgian, including three straight victories.
- Joshua Dunbar leads Humber rugby with seven converts so far this season
- In three matches, Cooper Markou has recorded a team-high four tries.
- Humber extends its win streak to 10 consecutive matches, dating back to the first match of last season.
What's Next?
The Hawks travel to Cambridge, Ont. to battle the Conestoga Condors (2-1, 4th OCAA) on October 4. The match is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
