The match started as the Colonials would have hoped: after kicking off, the club soon earned an attacking scrum in Cardinals territory. A number of strong carries, including a line break from flanker Obi, took us a few meters out. Two phases later, lock Isaac Kadoun crashes over the line for the first points of the game. Conversion missed. GW 5 – 0 CUA.

After struggling to cover the restart kick, GW would find themselves pitted in their own 22 for a period of seven minutes. A number of try-saving tackles were made on the edge by fullback Will D’Angelo until a penalty was won at the ruck. A few minutes later, Catholic attacks off the base of their scrum and two phases later they work the ball over the line. The conversion was wide, and after fifteen minutes played the score was tied: GW 5 – 5 CUA. 

Off an attacking lineout won thanks to solid chase defense, flanker Drew Haskins attempts a speculative offload that gets dropped forward — scrum to Catholic. Again, the scrum proved a good base for CUA to attack off of. An 8, 9, 10 move followed by two broken tackles by the flyhalf puts Catholic in for their second try. The kick is converted, and twenty minutes in Catholic lead 12 to 5. 

Immediately off a Catholic lineout, inside center John Lynn gets too aggressive in a tackle, lifts the Catholic player’s legs, and is yellow carded for a tip tackle. With five minutes to go in the half, GW must defend with 14 men; a task they accomplish comprehensively. Halftime: GW 5 – 12 CUA.

GW received the second half kick off, but were turned over at their fifth ruck. Catholic managed to work the ball wide to the left wing one phase and all the way back across to the right wing the next phase. With GW’s defense stretched, the right wing runs in for a try in the second minute of the second half. Conversion good. GW 5 – 19 CUA.

A long period of possession by GW would end after a not releasing penalty, and give Catholic attacking impetus in the GW half. CUA stayed camped out inside the GW 22 for eight minutes before powering over the line off the second phase of a lineout. Conversion good. GW 5 – 26 CUA.

Off the restart, GW would build consistent possession in their attacking half for the first time since the break, playing a full ten minutes with ball in hand. Catholic’s defense proved too organized, however, and GW was unable to break through. After the turnover, Heisler and replacement back Max Ward clash heads in a tackle and Heisler is subbed off. GW’s defense holds strong and they make a turnover and get back in Catholic’s half. A CUA player makes the same mistake as Lynn — a clear tip tackle — and gets yellow carded with under ten minutes left in the match. 

GW loses the ensuing lineout, but turns the ball over at the next ruck and attacks from three meters out. It takes replacement Ollie Newlands just one carry to break through the line and score GW’s first points since the opening minutes. Conversion goes in with four minutes to play: GW 12 – 26 CUA.

CUA did not let GW hold onto the momentum. They win a penalty not long after the restart and slowly kick to touch. Off the lineout, the Catholic flyhalf once again proved elusive, sniping through the line and putting in a try under the posts. He converts his own score: GW 12 – 33 CUA.

GW would knock on the door once more before full time, but was unable to close the gap. Fulltime in the PRC #2 v #3 playoff: GW 12 – 33 CUA.