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​Gamecocks go 3-1 at USA Rugby 7s Championship Tournament
​

On Saturday, the South Carolina men’s rugby team accomplished what no other Gamecock team has done: win a pool in a national championship tournament.

With lopsided wins over Florida (27-5), Oregon State (24-12) and Western Washington (35-14), the Gamecocks were positioned – and probably the favorites – to capture the USA Rugby 7s National Collegiate Championship.

But Saturday’s jubilation turned sour Sunday when the Gamecocks dropped a 21-10 morning game to Harvard, a squad that advanced to the finals and lost to San Diego State.

For their part, the Gamecocks constructed a 10-0 lead before hitting empty early in the second half after the Crimson scored a try and conversion to cut South Carolina’s advantage to 10-7. Another try followed that staked Harvard to a 14-10 lead.

With just 30 seconds remaining, the Gamecocks attempted to repeat what it had done so many times this season: win on the final play. But it was not to be. With no time on the clock and the Gamecocks pressing, a Harvard defender intercepted a South Carolina pass and dashed 40 meters for the game-clinching tie.

The Gamecocks entered the tournament without two reserves who had been on the roster of 12 since February. The team suffered another loss Saturday when Thomas Allison was injured and could not play Sunday.

“We just hit empty early in the second half,” said Coach John Roberts. “Not having that experienced depth was costly. Harvard played an excellent game, and it was good to see them advance to the finals.”

The Gamecocks, champions of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference, own a 21-9-1 spring record in 7s and will wrap up the season by competing in the Collegiate Rugby 7s National Championship Tournament, to be held May 28-30 in New Orleans and televised by CBS. 

“We should be up to full strength for the tournament and will be working on our conditioning and fine-tuning our play until then,” said Roberts. “We look forward to competing against the best collegiate rugby has to offer.”
​
You can support the team’s tournament fundraising drive by visiting this page.

photos by Jesse Copeland

Copyright 2014. Erik V. Geib