Alumni were treated this afternoon as men’s rugby dominated the rival Western Mustangs at Nixon Field.

The Gaels (6-1) came out on top in a crucial late-season game, winning 33-8 off the back of an impressive second half.

Queen’s got off to a slow start, as the men struggled for ball control in the first several minutes of play, eventually being forced back deep into their own end by the Mustangs (4-2-1).

Wing Kainoa Lloyd followed a series of deft passes with a great run to bring the ball close to the Western touchline.

Lock Joseph Yelle finished off the play, opening the scoring with a try. After Adam McQueen’s successful conversion, the Gaels led 7-0.

The Mustangs fired back within minutes, recording a try of their own.

A high tackle on a Mustang player led to him being stretchered off and taken to an ambulance. Western would connect on the resulting penalty goal, seizing an 8-7 lead they’d hold at the half.

In the second half, the floodgates began to open as Angus MacPhail drove in a try. McQueen hit the conversion and the Gaels re-took a 14-8 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish.

After the two teams spent a fair chunk of the half mired in a midfield battle, Queen’s was able to break through the Western defence. Second-year Lucas Rumball tallied his first of two tries on the day.

The Gaels had another chance to score just past the midway point of the half, but stalled deep in Mustangs territory.

James Dent put the Gaels fourth try on the board, stretching the lead to 28-8 after another successful conversion. Rumball then added his second try.

With the win, the Gaels kept their grip on top spot in the OUA heading into the season’s final weekend. Queen’s hosts the Waterloo Warriors (1-6) at Nixon Field on Oct. 25.