Gonzaga vs Charlotte lived up to the billing to cap off the Gonzaga Classic, a tournament that provided some outstanding competition throughout.

Gonzaga made the final with a difficult 14-0 semifinal win over Shawnigan Lake. The BC side had some good scoring chances but couldn't quite finish and Gonzaga did just enough in their semi.

The Cardinals played local rivals Clayton and while Clayton had impressed with their speed of play and athleticism, Charlotte was pretty quick, too, and were more physically powerful. But winning the point of contact and using that to open up space, the Cardinals won 38-7 to make the final.

 The Classic final was indeed a classic. In the 40-minute game both sides knew that field position and points were at a premium. (Quick note, in the interests of saving time, the tournament had a rule that if you scored under the posts, the conversion was awarded automatically.)

The teams tried to find good field position with the kicking game and Gonzaga answered finally by running the ball. A well-executed counter-attack saw Ethan Heim go over on the left side. Kieran Downs slotted the conversion and it was 7-0 Gonzaga.

Charlotte answered immediately. With Gonzaga unleashing possibly the best backline in the country and moving the ball quickly—Downs distributing brilliantly—the Cardinals looked to take away decision-making time and space by coming up very quickly on D. It worked after the restart, as the pressure forced an accidental offside by Gonzaga. From the ensuing scrum Charlotte worked it tight with the forwards and then spun it wide to wing Beyond Bembry, who scores in the corner. Conversion no good, and it was 7-5.

Gonzaga worked methodically to get down to the Charlotte 22 with their forwards active and mobile in getting to the breakdown. The breakdowns themselves were quite the battle and Charlotte was looking for that all-important poach, which they didn't get. Eventually Gonzaga got a penalty and, interestingly, opted for a tap move. They sent their big men forward and then went wide where Heim burst through and was in under the posts. No kick needed, and it was 14-5.

Gonzaga scores in final of Gonzaga Classic. Ethan Haim scoring one of his 2 tries v Charlotte Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/f3HKqkbvKu

— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) April 22, 2024

That's how the first half ended.

In the second half Gonzaga drew a penalty, took the lineout, and this time went with their power men. Big lock Kimani Laumoli, who was excellent all weekend, thundered over. Down converted, and Gonzag was seemingly in control 21-5.

But Charlotte wasn't done. An excellent counter on a kick allowed Zach Colson to slice through and set up his support. Colby Marr was right there and he was in. Kick good and it was 21-12. The Cardinals kept it up and again they punished Gonzaga on the kick counter. This time Gonzaga scrambled well enough to stop the attack but were eventually penalized. That set up the lineout and maul and from there JJ Ahoy scored. Colson converted and it was now 21-19.

Both teams had chances to score in the final minutes. Laumoli burst through only to be dragged down just meters from the line. Charlotte broek down the left side only for the Gonzaga cover defense to get the job done.

It remained 21-19 as Gonzaga looked to run out the clock. But as time expired the Cardinals forced a penalty at midfield. Quickly they pointed to the posts and Colson line up the 50-meter kick.

Well ... whether it was good or not depends on who you ask. Charlotte, Charlotte's fans, and one assistant referee thought it was good. Gonzaga, Gonzaga's fans, and another AR thought it missed. The referee then has the final say, and he said no good. Gonzaga had won.

We at GRR were right under those posts filming it. Unfortunately, the video, and our own eyes, can't really give you a definitive answer. We can say that it was really close.

The final kick. Thanks SS for the 2nd angle. Was it over? pic.twitter.com/bFVriYs7Ey

— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) April 22, 2024

So Gonzaga won 21-19. Win or lose, both sides knew they had been in one of those precious games that are high-level, high-intensity, and very, very close.