Sunnyvale, CA - Saturday's Carlsberg Cup marked the end of the qualifiers for NCRFU. The competition was just as fierce as previous weeks with two women's and 3 men's teams moving forward and vying for the Pacific North Championship in Tacoma, WA July 28th.
On the Women's side, in a mirrored competition, Life West played Berkeley All Blues for the final. Both teams will progress to Tacoma, due to the pool and prior tournament results. This game, however would crown a NCRFU champion, and the other team would have fuel for redemption in Tacoma. Life West was on top early, but Berkeley would come racing back with a hat-trick of tries. Berkeley then allowed Life West to sneak 3 tries of their own, regaining the lead. This resurgence would seal the victory for Life West, and the NCRFU Championship.
Over with the Men, it was a continuation of the pool play from June 23rd, which saw Olympic Club finish undefeated. In the Semi Finals this weekend pushing for the NCRFU Championship, Life West and Sacramento would knot the score in regular time, and go into sudden death overtime. In the first minute of OT, Sacramento was down a man via a yellow card, and Life West would capitalize quickly, winning the game. Olympic Club would continue its superior, undefeated play by beating San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) on the final play of a 14-minute see-saw game. Sacramento secured the 3 seed as Life West and Olympic Club clashed to crown the NCRFU Champion. Half time saw Olympic Club ahead, keeping Life West scoreless 12-0. Olympic Club would score out of the gate in the second half, and Life West would get on the board almost immediately. Life West couldn't keep the momentum going, letting Olympic Club score again. Life West pressed on and scored a consolation try and the end of the game. The final of 24-12 would crown Olympic Club as NCRFU Champions, undefeated throughout the qualifiers and the team to beat come July 28th.
