(Rita Hickey photo)
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Vegas got by a tough Pearl City, while Aspen overwhelmed the Atlanta Renegades.
In the first semi, the Blackjacks had to contend with a stubborn Pearl City side before coming from behind to prevail 42-33 and qualify for their first ever DI national title decider.
Pearl City led 28-12 going into the second forty, but couldn't hold off a fast finishing Vegas side hell bent on getting over the semifinal hump that has stumped them in the past.
In the second semi things went a little differently with Aspen crushing the Renegades 76-10.
The Gents were in control pretty much from the get go and led 40-0 at halftime.
When the Division II competition got underway, top seeded East Palo Alto continued its winning streak and earned its place in the final with a 39-11 victory over Indianapolis.
East Palo Alto held a 12-3 lead heading into the break and allowed just one try to Indy midway through the second half; Indianapolis flyhalf Scott Peterson had all of his team’s points on the day.
East Palo Alto will now face the Albuquerque Aardvarks in the Division II final. Albuquerque was held scoreless until the final minute of the first half, but rolled on the momentum of wing Darren Kemp’s late try and played hard in the second.
The Aardvarks put up three unanswered tries before Lancaster’s John Denson had a rebuttal inside minute 62. With just less than seven minutes left in regulation, Lancaster dotted down another, but their mounting attack was cut short, with a 34-23 final tally when time had expired.
In the Men’s DIII contest, So Cal’s Beaumont RFC has set the stage for a perfect end to its first ever Championships appearance, hanging on to win its semifinal match-up versus Middlesex 30-25.
