Brantford Harlequins Win 2016 Mccormick Cup Final

October 24, 2016

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(MARKHAM, ON) - The Brantford Harlequins hoisted the McCormick Cup, after a tough fought 37-17 defeat over the Toronto Scottish on Saturday. After an early Scottish lead, the Harlequins clawed back and took a 12-10 lead into half. The wind was in their favour in the second half and the Quins did not look back, putting up 25 points in 40 minutes. To watch the game, head to https://www.rogerstv.com/show?lid=12&rid=17&sid=1899&gid=261953 


It is tradition that the McCormick Cup Day comes with rain, snow or sleet; but this day came with no precipitation; only a brisk, powerful October wind that riddled kickers' chances of conversions when kicking toward the North end of the pitch. 


(Photo credit to David Wayne)


It was a grudge match early on, as the Scottish knew they would have to be a defensive force to stop the ever powerful Harlequin offence. They were successful early on, with the first strike coming off of a Milan Cookson penalty conversion. Then, Gareth Williams ran one in, after receiving a great feed. Just like that, the Scottish had a 10-0 lead.

Brantford was not going to lay down in this one, though as captain Rory Mcdonell evaded numerous tackles to record the Quin's first try early on. Steve Piatek nailed a tough kick into the wind to complete the conversion and it was 10-7 Scottish at the 25 minute mark.

Brantford continued to put pressure on the Scottish side, but Toronto seemed to be unbreakable early on, until Casey Bouk ran in a try at the 30 minute mark. The conversion was unsuccessful with the southward winds reeking havoc on the airborne ball. Brantford went into half with a 12-10 lead.



The second half saw a rejuvenated Brantford side enter the game. The Quins fought hard defensively early on to keep the Scottish in their end. It payed off, as their defensive grind created a change in possession and a try that led to a successful conversion. At the 50 minute mark, Brantford sat comfortably, with a 19-10 lead.

In typical Scottish fashion, they kept pushing. The boys in blue answered back with a quick try and successful conversion to keep things interesting. That was all that the Toronto side could muster though, as the quick, offensive style of Brantford's play proved to be too much for the defensive-minded Scottish.

Brantford tallied on two more tries in the contest and a successful penalty conversion by Will Kelly, which ultimately killed all chances of a Scottish comeback. The final score of the exciting contest was 37-17.



This is the fourth time that the Brantford Harlequins have won the Senior Men's Championship and the first time since 2003 that they have done so. The club won the very first Ontario Cup in 1950, as well as the Carling Cup in 1974 and now - the McCormick Cup in 2003 and 2016.

The Harlequins placed first in the Marshall Premiership with a record of 12-2-0, outscoring their opponents handily by a difference of 556-250. Their only two losses came in their first two games of the season, giving them an winning streak of 16 games and counting.

Consolation: Markham Irish took the Consolation Finals with a 55-7 win over the Stoney Creek Camels.



Gee Gage Cup: Bay Street RFC took the Gee Gage Cup with a 17-7 win over the Toronto Scottish Seconds.



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