2017 Denver 7s Rugby Tournament

Drama In Final As Utah NDA Takes Denver 7s

Drama In Final As Utah NDA Takes Denver 7s

Recap of the Denver 7s with Utah NDA and Denver Barbarians in the final on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.

Jun 25, 2017 by Alex Goff
Drama In Final As Utah NDA Takes Denver 7s
In a dramatic comeback, the Utah NDA team won the Denver 7s, defeating locals Denver Barbarians 26-24 in the championship match on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.

The game, which was live-streamed on FloRugby (the tournament games will be available on-demand shortly), was a back-and-forth affair, with Denver trying to work the ball through the hands, while Utah was more looking to set free their speedsters. Utah had lost to Denver in pool play earlier in the day but put in a much better performance the second time around.

Both teams knew they had to play good team rugby to win. Denver did get over after working the ball back and forth, and it was that sure ball-handling that opened up space. Pressure from Utah produced a try for the NDA side, but Denver was able to be patient and aggressive at the same time and ran out to a 19-7 lead. 

Utah was chasing the game at this point -- or at least could have been had it not been so patient. A big run on the outside put Utah within a try at 19-14 -- the touchline conversion a crucial play here. Denver bounced back to seemingly put the game away 24-14.

But once again Utah came back, seeing Havea Unufe around the outside and in under the posts. Unufe wasted no time in touching down, and it was a smart play, as there was just enough time for the kickoff, with the score now 24-21. Utah regained the ball, took its time, and then set up Anthony Welmers, who burst through for the game-winner.

It was an excellent result for the defending national club champs.

There was plenty of drama throughout the tournament, which included an overtime game for third place between the Denver Barbarians A side and the Kansas City Blues. Denver scored seconds into the extra period to win in sudden death. Utah needed the comeback touch in the semis as well, overcoming Kansas City to win 28-21. Utah's Don Pati scored two in that game, and Zach Webber and Josh Anderson added tries. Welmers didn't score against Kansas City, but he was a scoring machine throughout the day.

Also at the Denver 7s, New Mexico's Rio Rancho Rebels won the high school bracket, defeating Denver East in convincing fashion 26-5 in the final. The Rebels showcased some impressive speed and athleticism to take the cup.