SB Nation Bay Area - 2011 College Rugby Sevens Championship: Cal Wins Group A, Advances To Quarterfinalshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-06-05T14:07:27-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19707432011-06-05T14:07:27-07:002011-06-05T14:07:27-07:00Rugby Sevens Rules, 2011 College Championships: How Does It Differ From Rugby Union?
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<p>For those of you wondering what's going on watching NBC, Rugby Sevens is in full swing in the championship stage. You might be wondering exactly what the rules are and how they differ from International Rugby.</p>
<p>Here are the basic rules of rugby.</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Coin toss to decide which team kicks off, just like football. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Play starts with a drop kick (like a punt, although no one snaps them the ball). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The team that kicks off the ball will try to retrieve it; the other players chase the ball into the opposition territory.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">When a tackle occurs, a ruck generally results--when two players are locked in contact with the ball on the ground, the ruck is formed. They then attempt to push the other side back, and players have to use the feet to hook the ball backwards to their teammates.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">A maul occurs when a player is held by multiple players, and it unfolds similar to a ruck.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">When a ball goes out of bounds, a lineout is awarded to the team that touched the ball last. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Forward passing is not allowed.<br></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Tries are scored between goal line and dead ball line and are awarded five points. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Conversions are kicked from where the ball is touched down in the end zone and are awarded two points.</span></li>
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For those interested in the variants between rugby sevens and rugby union, here they are.
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Seven players instead of 15.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Five subs instead of seven.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Seven minute halves, extended to ten in championship games (instead of 40).</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">One minute half-time, two minutes in finals (instead of 10).</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Five minute periods of Extra Time if its tied after regulation.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Conversion attempts must be drop-kicked and need to be taken within 40 seconds.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Three player scrums to get the ball (instead of the customary eight, which is monstrous!).</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Kickoffs are like regular football (in rugby union, the conceding team kicks off).</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Yellow cards are a two minute suspension instead of ten.</span>
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<div>Enjoy the championship game on NBC!</div>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/5/2208016/rugby-sevens-7s-rules-rulebook-2011-college-championshipsAvinash Kunnath2011-06-05T13:18:44-07:002011-06-05T13:18:44-07:00Rugby Sevens Results, 2011 College Championships: Utah Eliminates Cal
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<p>Well, Utah stopped Cal last season. It makes perfect sense that the Bears ended up falling to the Utes against this season.</p>
<p>Utah stifled Cal even more convincingly than in last year’s title game, not allowing them a point until they were well ahead. After Utah took the opening kickoff and held the ball for 1:30, Don Pati managed to plunge it in and give the Utes an early 7-0 lead. Utah than got a try from Tonata Lauti to push the lead to 14-0 at halftime. Pati put it away early in the second half with his second try of the game to push it to 21-0. James McTurk prevented a Cal shutout with a late try that gave the Bears their only points, as they fell 21-5.</p>
<p>The Cal rugby program might be the best when it comes to the true international sport, but they seem to be a step behind when it comes to this faster-paced Olympic event. Utah moved on to face Army, but fell in the semifinal in a mild upset.</p>
<p>For more on the game,<a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/6/5/2207596/flash-cal-falls-5-21-to-utah-in-rugby-7s-quarterfinal" target="new"> head over to the California Golden Blogs</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/5/2207992/rugby-sevens-results-2011-college-championships-utah-calAvinash Kunnath2011-06-04T18:59:46-07:002011-06-04T18:59:46-07:00College Rugby Sevens 2011 Championship Schedule: Cal Rematch With Utah
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<p>Cal will get an early chance at redemption in the Collegitae Rugby 7s Championships. The team they lost the title to in 2010, the Utah Utes, will be their first test on Sunday morning.</p>
<p>Last season, Utah proved they were the better squad at 7s; they had the best athlete on either side in two-way athlete Thretton Palamo, and he dominated the game on both sides to give the Utes a 31-26 overtime victory. Utah isn't as strong a side this season though (no Palamo), but they do have Don Pati, who is perhaps the best scrumhalf in the nation. Pati will have to square off with potential future Olympian Dustin Muhn though, so there'll be no unreal advantage that the Utes enjoyed like they did with Palamo.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it could be another close contest. The game will not be televise<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/CalRugbyScoring" target="_blank">d, so you'll have to follow Cal Rugby Scoring on Twitter to get the results live</a>!</p>
<p><b>Quarterfinals schedule (not televised, probably taped on Universal Sports)</b><br>Cal (Group A winner) vs. Utah (Group B runner-up), 7:19 AM PT/10:19 AM ET<br>Dartmouth (Group B winner) vs Penn State (Group A runner-up), 7:41 AM PT/10:41 AM ET<br>Army (Group C winner) vs Texas (Group D runner-up), 8:03 AM PT/11:03 AM ET<br>Arizona (Group D winner) vs Central Washington (Group C runner-up), 8:25 AM PT/11:25 AM ET<br><br><b>Semifinals schedule (Versus</b><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 9px;">)<br></span>Cal-Utah winner vs. Army-Texas winner, 11:05 AM PT/2:05 PM ET<br>Penn State-Dartmouth winner vs. Arizona-Central Washington winner,11:30 AM PT/2:30 PM ET<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span></p>
<p><b>Finals schedule (NBC)</b><br>Bronze medal game: 1:40 PM PT/4:40 PM ET<br>Championship game: 2:20 PM PT/5:20 PM ET</p>
<p><b>Who do you think will win it all? Let us know in the comments!<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2206965/college-rugby-sevens-7s-2011-championship-schedule-cal-rematch-with-utahAvinash Kunnath2011-06-04T15:28:56-07:002011-06-04T15:28:56-07:002011 College Rugby Sevens Championship Update: Cal Holds Off Penn State, Wins Group A
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<p>Cal wrapped up their impressive pool play at the 2011 rugby 7s by holding off a spirited Penn State effort to win Group A. The fate of the Bears was very much in doubt until midway through the second half, but Cal eventually found their way to another solid victory.</p>
<p>Seamus Kelly set up Dustin Muhn, who managed an impressive 40 meter sprint to the end zone to take the try and hand the Bears the early 7-0 lead. Immediately, Blaine Scully managed to steal the kickoff and take it the other way to make it 12-0, and Cal seemed on their way to another quick victory.</p>
<p>But Penn State did have a few opportunities and showed some life early on. First Chris Saint set up Joe Baker after Baker threw the ball inbounds to him (pretty much working like a give-and-go in basketball), cutting the lead to 12-7 before halftime. Penn State also stopped a Cal try right before the first half expired, keeping them in the game a bit longer. And the Nittany Lions had great field position early in the half to try and put pressure on Cal.</p>
<p>But they couldn't convert, and the Bears made them pay. Dustin Muhn's beautiful kick downfield went right into the hands of the streaking Scully, who ran into the end zone untouched to extend the lead to 19-7. Connor Ring added a score later on to make it 26-7, and Cal was on their way.</p>
<p>The Bears move onto the quarterfinals tomorrow at 7:19 AM PT/10:19 AM ET. For more coverage of Cal rugby,<a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/6/4/2205654/cal-rugby-7s-invitational-saturday-open-thread" target="_blank"> head over to the California Golden Blogs</a>!</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2206849/2011-college-rugby-sevens-7s-cal-penn-stateAvinash Kunnath2011-06-04T14:42:32-07:002011-06-04T14:42:32-07:002011 College Rugby 7s Results: Cal Shuts Down LSU
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<p>The Bears started their Saturday march to a Rugby Sevens crown when they rocked up Ohio State 38-0 earlier today. Their second obstacle was the LSU Tigers, and even though they were a tougher fight, the Bears did not let up and were soon on their way. </p>
<p>Sean Gallinger got things going by making a lot of guys miss and getting close to the goal-line. After a few phases Blaine Scully put the try in the end zone to make it 5-0. It was still only 5-0 at halftime, but the the Bears broke it open in the second half of the game. Paul Bosco scorched down the field 60 meters before finding James McTurk for a try to make it 12-0. James Bailes added another try minutes later to make it 17-0, and put up another later in the game to make it 24-0.</p>
<p>Cal moved to 2-0 and eliminated LSU from contention with this victory, and at least ensured they'd advance to the Group A quarterfinals. A duel with Penn State awaits with the top spot in Group A on the line.</p>
<p>For more on Golden Bears rugby, <a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com" target="_blank">check out the California Golden Blogs</a>!</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2206824/2011-college-rugby-sevens-7s-results-cal-lsuAvinash Kunnath2011-06-04T13:01:08-07:002011-06-04T13:01:08-07:00 2011 College Rugby Sevens Championship Results: Cal Pummels Ohio State
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<p>The California Golden Bears are currently situated in Group A play, where they have to get the best of the Ohio State Buckeyes, LSU Tigers, and Penn State Nittany Lions to move (<a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/6/3/2205999/rugby-sevens-preview-wholl-end-up-on-top" target="_blank">check out this excellent preview of the rugby tournament for further details</a>!). They took some huge steps on Saturday to get to the knockout stages of the tournament.</p>
<p>Cal started their morning against Ohio State, and got quickly to work. A James McTurk try in the second minute landed him in the right corner (the conversion failed), and Cal went up 5-0. The Bears were on the counterattack almost immediately when Ohio State took possession; James Bailes handed it to McTurk, who pop passed it to Sean Gallinger, then provided a long leave for Blaine Scully to make it 12-0. McTurk added another try to make it 19-0 by halftime.</p>
<p>Derek Ausburn added another try in the second half to up the score to 24-0 two minutes in, Connor Ring came up with another try barely a minute later to make it 31-0 after the conversion succeeded, and then Dustin Muhn capped off the scoring after creasing through the gap for a 60 meter try. Cal won 38-0 to move to 1-0 in Group A play.</p>
<p>For more on Cal Rugby, <a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com" target="_blank">check out the open thread at California Golden Blogs</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2206726/2011-college-rugby-sevens-championship-results-cal-ohio-stateAvinash Kunnath2011-06-04T12:41:22-07:002011-06-04T12:41:22-07:002011 USA College Rugby Sevens Championship: Cal Favorites, Beat LSU And Ohio State
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<p>The rugby sevens are underway, and Cal rugby is as usual right in the thick of things. The Bears shockingly did not win the first contest, falling to the home run threat of Thretton Palamo and the Utah Utes in the title game last year. Cal is raring to go to try and avenge last year's loss, and try and prove they're the kings of any scrum, regardless of format.</p>
<p>Unlike most rugby events, rugby sevens is being promoted quite heavily on television, particularly by NBC and Universal Sports, home of the 2012 Olympic Games. Rugby Sevens was recently voted to join the Olympic Games in 2016 as part of the Summer Games. So almost the entirety of the American collegiate championship games in PPL Park in Philadelphia will be televised.</p>
<p>Let's take a quick look at the remaining schedule for the tournament. </p>
<p><b>Saturday</b><br><b>Versus:</b> 11 AM - 1 PM PT<span style="line-height: 9px;">, 3 PM PT - 5 PM PT<br></span><b>NBC: </b>1 PM PT - 3 PM PT</p>
<p><b>Sunday</b><br><b>Universal Sports: </b>9 AM PT - 11 AM PT<br><b>Versus: </b>11 AM PT - 1 PM PT<br><b>NBC: </b>1 PM PT - 3 PM PT</p>
<p>Cal has already played several matches this weekend to try and advance out of group play. The Bears will try to get back to tomorrow's championship game, and SB Nation Bay Area has you covered! (For more on the Bears, <a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com" target="_blank"> check out California Golden Blogs</a>.)</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2336166/2011-usa-college-rugby-sevens-championship-cal-favorites-beat-lsu-andAvinash Kunnath