Life University defeated Kutztown in the third semi-final match of the day by the score of 31 -17.   A couple of well-placed kicks by Life’s Joe Cowley and several uncharacteristic missed tackles by Kutztown was the difference in this match.

Life got on the scoreboard first with a clever kick ahead by Cowley.   A second delicate touch with his foot resulted in a try right next to the posts.  Cowley converted the try, his first of three successful conversions, giving Life an early 7-0 lead.

Kutztown responded immediately on the kickoff with a magnificent 80 meter run for a try from Gareth Lourens.  The try was a result of some poor tackling  by Life and great acceleration from Lourens allowing him to dive over in the corner making the game 7-5 in favor of Life.

Life scored again with a well executed series of passing and a perfectly timed offload from Cam Dolan cleared the way for an easy try under the posts for Cowley.

Life added to their lead with a miss pass to Cam Dolan on the wing, One on one with the defender, the 6ft five-inch winger broke the tackle and scored a try down the left flank.

Kutztown battled back with a try of their own after a great run from Tim Acker that beat two life defenders.  A well-executed offload by Acker led to a try in the corner by Bruce Dolan.

Kutztown had problems defending the kick all match as another perfectly placed kick by Cowley allowed him to run on to the ball in the try zone.  The referee needed to go to the back judge to determine who touched the ball down because of great hustle from the Kutztown winger.  He arrived simultaneously to Cowley but it was to no avail because the referee awarded the try to Life making the score 24 -10 Life after the conversion.

Kutztown showed resilience, adding another try with about two minutes remaining.Robert Stortz got a life defender to bight at a dummy pass.  Kutztown then picked from the base of the ruck several times in a row culminating in Acker diving over in front of the posts. Life ‘s defensive line did not pinch, leaving the fringes unoccupied for Acker to score.

Life sealed the game with a try from Colton Carriaga.  Life shifted the Kutztown defense left then used quick ball to get numbers right.  Carriaga stepped a defender and put in a nifty try under the posts.

Life University will play Navy in the Semi-finals later this afternoon.

Life
Tries: Cowley 3, Dolan,Carriaga
Convs: Cowley 3

Kutztown
Tries: Acker, Lourens, Dolan
Convs: Acker

In a thrilling quarterfinal at the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s tournament, UCLA defeated two-time defending champions Dartmouth on the final play of the game, 19-17.

Dartmouth started well and dominated possession early. They wisely got the ball out to Madison Hughes, who sidestepped and raced his way to the tryline. 

Up 5-0, Dartmouth pressured UCLA into a poor kick to Hughes, and he fed James Sharpe, and Sharpe raced to the corner. Hughes was good on the kick, and Dartmouth led 12-0.

But once UCLA kept the ball, they did better.

"We know we have to be patient," said scrumhalf Grant Penney before the game. "I was guilty of making that mistake - of trying to do too much and score from first phase all the time. When we take our time and move the ball, we're a lot better."

That approach also stressed the Dartmouth defense.

And after Penney sent a smart kick ahead, the Bruins got the ball to Seb Sharpe, who was in for his team's first try.

Then a seemingly big play. Dartmouth, dragging a bit on defense, made several key try-saving tackles, and then broke free with time up in the first half.

Kevin Clark snaked through a hole, linked with Wilson Chockley and then Neil Greene - who made an outstanding pass out of contact to Ryan Galloway. Galloway needed help and Sharpe was there to finish it off. That made it 17-5 and seemed a killer blow for Dartmouth.

In the second half, UCLA seemed the fresher team, and pinned Dartmouth in their own 22. Desperate to work their way out of their end, the Big Green forced a pass that Martial Chaput intercepted and toko in for a try. He converted and that made it 17-12.

The teams battled for possession the rest of the half, with Dartmouth unable to get good territorial position. Then, with time up on the clock, an error. Dartmouth had the ball and fed Tyler Morange in space. Morange didn't have enough to get to the corner, and cut back into traffic. His support wasn't there, and he was penalized for holding on.

The Bruins attacked, and were supremely patient, knowing they had all the time in the world to score the trying try.

Passing back and forth, UCLA made some ground after Penney sent an audacious pass between his legs to the wing. They sucked in the Dartmouth defenders, who were out on their feet at this point and sent it wide to Chaput, who sped to the corner.

The try tied the game, and then Tyler Pritchard hit the touchline conversion for a dramatic win.

UCLA moves on to the semis. Dartmouth's tournament is done.

"We're getting better every game," said Penney. "That's all we can do."

UCLA 19
Tries: Sharpe, Chaput 2
Convs: Chaput, Pritchard

Dartmouth 17
Tries: Hughes, Sharpe, Clark
Convs: Hughes