It was a match of high quality befitting two of the OUA's elite teams on Sunday.
McMaster came out on the winning side of a closely-contested 18-13 decision over the Queen's Gaels at Back 10 Field, improving their record to 5-0 and dealing Queen's their first loss of the OUA season.
The Marauders 18 points eclipsed the total (17) that the Gaels had conceded through four previous matches in 2014.
With the win, McMaster stands as one of only two unbeaten teams remaining in the conference, alongside the Western Mustangs.
Matt Rafaelic and Kieran Hurst had tries for the Marauders, while Jamie Leveridge added eight points on two penalties and a convert.
Queen's struck first on Sunday, crossing the line 18 minutes into the opening half and converting for an early 7-0 lead.
Leveridge had an opportunity to get the Marauders on the board with a penalty shortly afterward, but scuffed the kick wide.
However, the miss was quickly forgotten, as Graham Dobbs broke free of the Gaels defence, and swung the ball to Rafaelic, who touched down. Leveridge made good on the convert, and McMaster drew level at 7-all.
Queen's pressed for another opening as the first half wore on, and eventually found it in the form of a penalty, which the Gaels hit to take a 10-7 lead. But McMaster had an answer once again, as Hurst capped a beautiful sequence of passing to surge over the line along the right wing. The convert was missed from a tough angle, and McMaster took a slim 12-10 lead into the break.
The visitors were sharp to open the second half, and Queen's retook the lead with their second penalty of the match for 13-12. But, just as they had in the first half, the Marauders responded well to the Gaels move. McMaster probed deep into Queen's territory and won a penalty for their efforts, which Leveridge struck well to reclaim the lead at 15-13.
He would add another before the final whistle, and the Marauders held the dangerous Gaels at bay to seal a vital win on home turf.
McMaster's season continues a week from now, when the Marauders travel to St. Catharines to battle the Brock Badgers on Saturday, October 4.
