The University of Washington has clinched a place in the Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference semifinals with a 36-28 defeat of Boise State Saturday.

UW is now 5-0 with two games left and cannot be bumped out of the top four.

Also winning on Saturday was Western Washington, 44-5 over Western Oregon. WWU is 4-1 and 2nd in the conference, but not secure quite yet. Boise State was perhaps unlucky not to get a close-loss bonus point, but did well to score 28 on a good UW defense. BSU is 3rd in the conference. 

Oregon pulled off an important victory, 35-8 over Gonzaga, to improve to 3-2.

For Gonzaga, this was the team’s final league game, and while they got just one try, from Darragh Ruane, the Bulldogs did well, going 3-4 and staying in contention through to the final week. They also finished 2nd in the NCRC 7s championships, and will now turn their attentions back to 7s for the rest of the spring.

WSU v EWU score not in yet. A win for WSU could bump the Cougars from 6th to 3rd.

UW Coach Mike Alfstad said his Huskies had all sorts of respect for a tough, physical, and larger Boise State team.

“We played our system, we double tackled and we refused to let up,” said Alfstad. “It was a close game all the way, and we showed a lot of grit to get this win. Our pack knew they had to meet the challenge today and they did. I am very proud of the effort of everyone of them and our backs weren't about to let them do all the work - they got stuck in the rucks time after time after time. It was a complete team effort.”

Alfstad praised Boise State’s play and their hosting.

“They are committed to improving as their record shows.”