Kentucky and Clemson won relatively comfortably in their SCRC semifinals to set up next weekend's final.
The Wildcats defeated a hard-nosed South Carolina side 29-15.
Kentucky scored in the first minute off a massive high ball from Jack Phillips that South Carolina struggled to control. Kentucky chased well and when the ball hit the deck fullback John Hall kicked through, chased, and scored. With the conversion from Phillips it was 7-0 early.
The Gamecocks had to answer and they forced Kentucky into some mistakes that eventually scrumhalf Max Hendry punished with a penalty kick.
USC looked to build on that score with some pressure off the restart and they got an attacking lineout for their efforts. However, Kentucky lock Mike Punzalan won that lineout, burst forward, and the a big break from Eli Arthur allowed him to set up Mike Punzalan in support.
Now the Wildcats were on the front foot and after three quick phases flanker Brendan Lynn made a snappy offload to wing Joe Keough, who sped around and centered it. Phillips converted and it was 14-3.
USC got a try back after a series of errors by Kentucky. No. 8 Gavin Curran scored off an eightman pick and with Hendry converting, the teams went into halftime with Kentucky holding onto a slim 14-10 lead.
In the second half USC kept up the pressure, capitalized on a couple of penalties, and the forwards bashed one over. Now the Gamecocks led 15-14.
The Wildcats would not concede another point. Some good phase work create some space and a little footwork from replacement loosehead prop Blaine Donlon put him through. Phillips converted and it was 21-15.
Kentucky's depth showed in the latter stages and raised the level at the right time. That set up some space for Hall, now switched to wing, to gain some ground and on a tap penalty move prop Eli Arthur scored. Phillips iced it with a penalty later in the game to wrap it up 29-15.
"Playoff rugby is survive and move on," said Kentucky Head Coach Sam Enari. "South Carolina came to play. We had ring rust from having three weeks off. We know we are going to get every opponent's best effort but we also squandered four scoring opportunities and got caught just being excited, going for the 60-meter play. The six-meter play and retaining possession would have been better for the team."
Tested at the right time, Kentucky knows it will only get more difficult as they look to repeat their NCR D1AA championship.
Arthur was outstanding all day, putting in a boatload of work. Brendan Lynn came off the bench and was a nuisance everywhere. Andrew Weeks was a defensive force while Chester Hale was dynamic. Dom Rosson brought some distribution to the back three late in the game that helped.
Meanwhile, Phillips at flyhalf and Jared Monnier at tighthead are just consistently good.
"We are able to play through adversity and stay composed to bring home the win," said Enari. "We had mistakes but they were the right idea and we were inches not feet off the mark. We will refine, survive, and move forward."
