Thanks to its neutral proximity, fantastic volunteer crew (great work all!!!) and lively nightlife, Kingston has long been a Tour stop favourite amongst teams. As usual, all of the top teams in Ontario (many from Quebec too) were in attendance, and with a Tour stop or two under everyone's belt (generally), there was no shortage of entertaining contests.
Please scroll below to view photos, videos and written accounts from Kingston. The only regret in this newsletter is from the video, where I wasn’t able to get footage from the Cobras and Boilermakers, and the remaining footage from the Knights and Lancers (to name a few) onto my computer. I’m going to keep trying, but my camera just doesn’t like the end portions of the Kingston tape, sorry guys!
Pictures & Video
Hold shift while left clicking the links below to open them in new windows, allowing an easy return to this homepage.
Picture Gallery
Kingston Video
Part-1 - 2
Women's AA
After their Early Bird championship loss to the Devils in ankle-deep, rain-filled conditions, Montreal’s Fleur De Lys (FDL) opted out of the Mississauga stop. Kingston, despite some rain fall, proved to be excellent football conditions and another championship appearance for the FDL.
The FDL opened Kingston with a close 14 to 8 victory over the ever-improving Montreal Poison. From there, and prior to the finals, the FDL opened up their game, tearing through top-ranked teams with one lopsided score after another, accumulating 80 points in three games.
Defence wasn’t much of a problem for the FDL either, and they came up big against Montreal‘s other elite offering, Les Geants, holding them to a single score in the championship game. Scoring 20 points themselves, the FDL walked away from Kingston for the second straight year as AA champions. Congratulations ladies!
Men's AA
The Burling Spartans were eliminated by eventual champions Toronto Trojans in the semi-finals of the last Tour stop, in what was one of the most talked about match-ups. The Spartans engaged in another tantalizing semi-final showdown in Kingston. However, this time around, their opponents were the Ottawa Capitals, the defending elite Ontario champions.
Because the Spartans held the title of defending elite Canadian champions, the Capitals contest carried a little more intrigue, to say the least. The game was every bit as exciting as its on-paper credentials indicated with the Spartans mounting a fourth quarter comeback to earn the victory.
The Spartans advanced to the finals for the second time in three tournaments, earning them another crack at the number one ranked Toronto Trojans. This game, while contested, didn’t have the high-energy feel of either of the aforementioned semi-final showdowns. Regardless, the Spartans earned a 20 to 14 victory to capture their second AA title of the season. Congratulations guys!
Men's A
Previously, former top-ranked Kitchener Gaels have struggled in the early portions of the Trillium Tour. Those struggles continued early in Kingston, as the Gaels dropped both round-robin contests, forcing a preliminary BBmatch-up against the Toronto Hurricanes to stay in A.
Earning a one-sided victory, the Gaels maintained positive results throughout elimination play-offs, earning three consecutive victories to capture the A title and an ever-important 46 points. Congratulations Gaels!
Women's BB
The Ottawa Jets were grounded in round-robin play, dropping consecutive one-sided losses, but took to the skies in Sunday elimination BB (Bwoohoohoohoo hi Gabe BB Here!!) play. They turned on their after-burners in quarter-final play before settling into an average thrust in the semi’s; almost running out of fuel in the finals.
All poor puns aside, the Jets rebounded with dominance when their backs were against the wall, earning a contested 6 to 0 championship victory over the Montreal Titans to take the title. Congratulations Jets!
Men's BB
Chronic slow starters at previous Tour dates, the Ottawa Spartans opened the Kingston stop with consecutive high-scoring victories. While they nearly clawed back into the A preliminary game they fell behind in, the Spartans continued their determined attitude in BB play-offs.
While quarter and semi-final contests against the Thunder and hometown Kingston Vikings were closely contested, the Spartans walked away with a one-sided 25 to 6 championship victory over the 360’s to earn their first title of the year. Congratulations Spartans!
Women's B
Scarborough’s Lady Raiders made their second championship appearance of the season at the Kingston Limestone. Whereas their first appearance was a 12 to 7 BB defeat, this time, the Raiders were up against the elite ranked Toronto Wolverines.
The B title was up for grabs at this stop, and their opponents were the familiar Ottawa Fury. These teams have exchanged victories countless times over the years, however, the Lady Raiders, in dominate 26 to 7 fashion, were the clear victors this time. Congratulations Raiders!
Men's B
The retooled S.O. Cobras had an uncharacteristically horrid start to their Kingston stop. Scoring only 14 combined points and allowing far more against in both round-robin contests, the Cobras immediately dropped to tier 3’s B division for quarter-final elimination play.
Not only did their offense wake up to actualize their potential, their defence also decided to get out of bed and play like they’re capable of playing. Scoring 86 total points in three consecutive play-off match-ups, the Cobras walked away from Kingston with some momentum and the B title. Congratulations guys!
Women's CC
Toronto United opened the Kingston stop with consecutive low-scoring losses. Throughout their CC play-offs, however, the United gradually improved their offensive output, earning victories in the process. While the United never quite ran up the score, they did produce a convincing 16 to 0 championship victory over the Toronto Assassins, earning their first title of the season. Congratulations ladies!
Men's CC
Tier 3’s second ranked Ottawa Knights, just like its 9th ranked Toronto Lancer championship game counterparts, split round-robin action becoming the CC semi-finals. The difference between both teams was the offensive Lancer output. Whereas the Knights were averaging just over two converted scores a game, the Lancers averaged in the high twenties.
The Lancers continued their high-scoring ways in the finals, notching 31 points. However, the Knights decided to toss the stats book out the window to score a staggering 35 points to take the win, and the title. Congratulations to both teams on such an exciting final!
*Note, on the results score sheet, it shows the Ottawa Hitmen and Knights in the finals. It should read Lancers.
Men's C
The Oshawa Sun Devils were ranked second in tier 4, but their play in Kingston’s Limestone reflected a higher placement in the standings. Speculation aside, the Sun Devils were on fire in K-town. Tier 3 drop-down teams couldn’t touch them either, as the Devils posted a perfect 5 and 0 record, which resulted in their first Trillium title. Congratulations guys!
Men's DD
Oshawa All Blacks 1 and 3 round-robin record dropped them into DD elimination play. Despite having to play at an awfully early 8:30am, the All Blacks had no trouble finding the end-zone, as they cruised to a 35 to 6 quarter-final victory. Capitalizing on their momentum, the All Blacks continued to score a handful of touchdowns, earning two more victories to capture the title. Congratulations guys!
