What a difference a few minutes and a couple of encouraging words can make. Trailing the RMC Paladins 5-3 at the break, the Marauders scored 20 unanswered points in the second half Saturday to emerge from a rainy Back 10 Field with a 23-5 win.

With their program celebrating its Alumni Day around them, McMaster moved to 3-0 on the season and provided a fitting cap to the celebration.

The Marauders got tries from Mike Smith and Mitch Richardson, while rookie fly half Will Kelly continued to do Mac's number 10 jersey proud, scoring 13 points on two penalty goals, a drop goal and two converts.

Blake Sullivan provided the lone try for the visitors in a losing effort.

In a hard-nosed half of rugby which suited the weather around them, the two teams spent much of the first 40 minutes of the afternoon battling inconclusively for position, with hits landing where points could not.

Kelly's first penalty of the afternoon opened the scoring, but the Paladins answered quickly, pushing a scrum to the try line before Sullivan managed the final foray to pay dirt.

Unfazed by their lack of offensive punch in the first half, the Marauders made an immediate improvement to begin the second.

An extended offensive drive ended with the full seven points awarded, as Smith bruised his way across the try line and under the posts, making easy work of the convert for Kelly, who drilled it for 10-5.

Keeping the pressure squarely on the visitors, McMaster added to their lead when Kelly made good on his second penalty of the day. His kicking prowess was on full display minutes later, when the fly half tucked in the middle of a Mac drive and booted a drop goal flush from open play for 16-5.

Richardson put the game beyond doubt in the late stages, scooping up a loose ball and using his breakaway speed to slash through the RMC line, running untouched to the house, and giving Kelly an ideal spot to remain perfect in his kicking game.

UP NEXT: Mac travels to Kingston on Saturday, September 24 to take on the Queen's Gaels at 1:00 p.m.