The semifinal match between Army and Utah was one for the ages. Both teams played some of the best rugby seen over the course of the CRC and Army ended up on top, 12-7.

Army's Latu Vaha'i tackles a Utah player in their semifinal match. (Photo Steve Mitchell)

Utah started off very well with a long shifty run into the Army half but eventually were called for not rolling away. Army was called for a penalty of their own for entering from the side and Utah used the opportunity to kick to touch inside Army’s 22-meter line. The lineout throw wasn’t straight and Army was awarded a scrum from which they drove deep into Utah’s half. The move was stopped when Utah’s Tonata Lauti tackled high and was yellow carded.

The sin binning showed just how physically and aggressively both teams played, even though it sometimes got them in trouble.

Utah later got the ball off a lineout and Don Pati made a big run all the way to Army’s 5-meter line even with a shortage of numbers due to the yellow card. Army’s David Geib was then yellow carded for a penalty in the ruck and Utah’s Cameron Loser slipped past two defenders to score. Blake Miller made the conversion for a 7-0 score at halftime.

Utah kicked off the second half and both sin-binned players rejoined the action soon after. Army’s Will Holder made a big run and was supported by his teammates to inch closer to line. Latu Vaha’i finished the move by breaking a tackle to score under the posts. Geib added the conversion to tie the match.

In Utah’s next possession, hard Army tackling forced Don Pati to knock on. Army counterattacked and looked dangerous with slick passing but the Army ball carrier was tackled into touch inside Utah’s 22-meter line. Geib got the ball off the lineout and passed to Ben Leatigaga who sprinted just past the Utah defender for the winning try. Geib’s conversion was no good but it didn’t matter as Army won, 12-7.

“It was kind of like the pinnacle of all we’ve worked for,” David Geib said. “We kept playing our game because you can’t control what the other team does. We knew they came off a big win against Cal but anybody can win at any time, that’s the beauty of 7s.”

Army coach Justin Hundley said, "Yesterday we played our better game in the second game of the day and I think it was the same today. They just played really composed, disciplined 7s... We’ve got some great leaders out there, a couple of graduated lieutenants and they didn’t get down they took charge, which is what they’re going to be doing in a few months time."

Utah's Blake Miller was disappointed after the loss. "In the quarterfinal everyone thought Cal would win, and I’m proud of what we did, but it’s frustrating to go out like that," he said.