The Temple v Delaware match was one of the most highly anticipated of the EPRU’s women’s DII college season. Delaware returned to DII after a couple of years in DI, and Temple looked to be returning to DII champion form after an impressive showing this summer at the CRC 7s.

Messy conditions and early-season rust meant ball handling issues for both sides, which also meant a lot of scrums. Temple dominated the set piece, and the Owls’ supremacy directly contributed to their 12-5 victory. Both of Temple’s tries came from No. 8 Kayleigh Dymond, who finished off two scrums driving over the line. Delaware’s try came in similar fashion toward the end of the game, as their No. 8 picked off a five-meter scrum.

“The girls played a very cohesive game,” Temple coach Owen Jones said. “The defense played very well, and I have never seen a Temple team hit as hard as the girls were hitting Saturday. It’s very surprising, too, because we haven't even addressed tackling in practice yet.”

Temple has lost some key players, as has everyone else, from last year’s team, but Jones has been encouraged by the 20+ rookies who have come out this fall.

“We definitely had some standout performances in the B side game,” Jones reflected. “That was the most positive result from the day for me, knowing that moving forward we will have multiple A-side-capable players in every position. That is an incredibly valuable asset especially with the re-structured playoff system this year.”

Delaware coach Mike May wasn’t too dismayed by the loss. “As expected, the two clubs are fairly evenly matched with Temple’s forwards proving to be the difference,” May said. “Even the B side match was evenly played ending 10 -10. … We’re looking forward to a rematch during the EPRU playoffs.”

This weekend Temple attempts to improve to 2-0 against Drexel, while Delaware (1-1) enjoys a bye week.

Reports from Fairfax Media say the Rugby World Cup is closing in on its ticket sales target, but is still behind.

Figures released today show more than 1.32 million tickets have been sold, making NZ$259m in revenue, which is NZ$9.5m.

Organizers were looking to sell 1.35 million of the 1.6 million available tickets.

To date 763,000 fans have attended 28 matches with 20 games still to be played.

Rugby World Cup chief executive Martin Snedden said it was a "fantastic result" and proof the tournament was gaining traction with local and international fans. "This weekend alone nearly a quarter of a million fans passed through the gates for matches which included the historic double header at Eden Park where 120,000 fans attended the two matches."

Only two matches are sold out: South Africa v. Samoa on Friday and Italy v. Ireland on Sunday. Every other game, including the final, has some tickets available. The final has tickets left, but all are the higher-end hospitality packages.

The big quarterfinal clash, likely to be between the Springboks and the Wallabies, in Wellington on October 9, has category A and B tickets available for $491 or $399 apiece.

The All Blacks vs Canada clash this Sunday has a handful of tickets with an impeded view for $78.