Seven teams visited Mobile last Saturday for the 3rd Annual  SHC Rugby Sevens Tournament on Dorn Field. Division 1 programs such as the University of Florida, University of Alabama and Mississippi State University were amongst the visitors, as well as University of Louisiana-Lafayette, University of Alabama-Birmingham and St. Louis Univerity. The competition kicked off with round robin pool play at 9:00AM and included a mid-day break for a local high school fifteens match before moving on to the knock out rounds.

The Badgers drew a challenging pool as they would face St. Louis University, Florida Gators and the "Lost Boys" (a motley team formed by players from Louisiana, Alabama and Florida). 

The home team showed some grit in the opening game versus the St. Louis Billikens, but their comeback efforts were halted in the 12-19 loss. Players rebounded quickly for a 31-0 win over the "Lost Boys" before enjoying an extended intermission where they enjoyed watching the Louisiana and Florida high schools compete ahead of the final pool match versus Florida. 

The Gators, who also took advantage of the extended break, found their stride quickly and jumped to a 12-0 lead over Spring Hill. After some half time changes, the Badgers fought back to take a 15-12 lead with just seconds to go but a Florida defender sneaked into the passing lane allowing him to intercept a Spring Hill pass which he returned all the way. The game-changing try gave the Gators a 15-17 victory and a spot in the Cup Semi-finals. 

Spring Hill would then face the UAB Blazers in the Plate division semi-final and fell behind 14-0 at half. Some great vision in the second half and pinpoint kicking from Eric Miniclier would set up two quick tries bringing the home team back into the hunt. Both sides would convert one more try bringing the score to 19-19 and forcing a 5-minute overtime period.

Both teams demonstrated patience and extre care with ball handling as fatigue from the extended play began to show.  Spring Hill was able to enter the Blazers territory and stretch the defense enough for captain Ryan Flynn to slide around the corner and into the try zone for 5-pointer. The Badgers were able to hold on in the final seconds to take a 24-19 victory, earning a spot in the Plate Championship versus ULL, who beat the Lost Boys 31-0. 

ULL drew first blood by scoring two tries in the first half but the Badgers would not quit. The second half was de ja vue as Spring Hill fought back to even the score and send the game into overtime for the second time of the tournament. 

The Ragin Cajuns traded blows with the Badgers, but an unconverted try made all the difference as Spring Hill went on to win 28-26.

St Louis University would go on to beat Florida 19-12 in the Cup Championship, which was also an overtime performance. 

The Badgers will return to training after a  much needed spring break and begin preparing for the much anticipated Alumni Weekend match versus Loyola University (New Orleans) on April 9th. 

Pool A
1. St. Louis University (SLU)
2. University of Florida (UF)
3. Spring Hill College (SHC)
4. "Lost Boys"  (LBs)

Pool B
1. University of Alabama (UA)
2. Mississippi State University (MSU)
3. University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL)
4. University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)

Cup Semi-Final
SLU - 7
UA - 0

UF - 21
MSU - 14

Cup Final
SLU - 19
UF - 12     
(in overtime)

Plate Semi-Final
SHC - 24
UAB - 19
   
LBs - 0
ULL - 31

Plate Final 
SHC - 28
ULL - 26
(in overtime)