Rematching their OUA bronze medal game of a season ago in the first action of 2017, the Marauders and Mustangs engaged in a cagey, vintage encounter at Back 10 Field on Labour Day Monday.
Nudging their way ahead in the first half, and building upon that advantage in the second, the Marauders won their third consecutive game against their traditional rivals, out-duelling the Mustangs in an OUA season-opening 19-12 victory.
The trio of David Kavtiashvili, Mike Smith and Brett Sullivan had tries for the Marauders, with Callum Macleay chipping in with a pair of converts in the win.
Western's number eight, Michael Coldwells scored both of his team's tries in a losing effort.
After 20 minutes of inconclusive play through the midfield areas, the home side found the game's first opening when Kavtiashvili carved through the Mustangs line to cross for the first try of the afternoon. Touching down centrally, he gave Macleay a rather routine convert, and his teammate dutifully made good on the opportunity.
The half time whistle was beckoning when the Mustangs countered, with Coldwells punching through on a short move to peg the Marauders back. The ensuing convert was no good, however, and the hosts kept their noses out front at 7-5 as the teams' halted for the break.
Five minutes from the restart, Smith bullied his way over the try line to pad the Marauders lead, and Macleay's convert pushed the home side's lead to nine at 14-5.
Mac pressed their advantage when Sullivan sprung free late in the half to cross the try line and extend the lead to 19-5, an insurance try that proved useful minutes later.
Coldwells proved to be the man of action for the Mustangs once again, as he cut into the visitors' deficit with his second try of the afternoon, which was promptly converted to bring Western within a converted try of their opponents.
But the clock was the Mustangs enemy as they sized up the comeback, and that would be as close as they would come.
NEXT UP: McMaster travels to Peterborough on Saturday, September 9 to take on the Trent Excalibur.
