Vols Advance to Elite Eight
UT defeats Dartmouth to set up matchup with Defending National Champs

April 16 (Berkeley, CA) - UT overcame an unproductive and unlucky first half to knock off Dartmouth to advance to the next round of the USA Rugby Sweet 16 National Championship Tournament. After trailing 11-15 at the half, the men in orange and white scored four tries in the second half to secure the win 35-25. Tennessee plays Cal on Sunday to determine the representative in the USA Rugby Final Four on April 30.

The penalty count went against UT early and Dartmouth was rewarded with a kick that put them up 0-3. Early in the match Dartmouth continually put phases together that ended in long and accurate kicks in an attempt to change field position and also move UT out of its 4-up defense. Tennessee finally got untracked at about the 15 minute mark and used some good work in first phase moving to the weak side with Brett Jones and Luke Woods playing pitch and catch to the try zone. Jones touched it down and we were up 5-3. Dartmouth answered with two tries; both as a result of handling errors in the UT backline. Tennessee was left to deal with the deficit so the work began to to shore up possession skills and adjust to the tactics and patterns that Dartmouth had selected for the day. Two Tony Baker penalty kicks closed the gap to 11-15 at the half.

Halftime adjustments and some reminders of the importance of the continutation of solid pressure seemed to get the boys on track for the second half. Just 5 minutes into the half, Luke Woods gets a nice try from a n exciting Dave Ellis breakaway. Ellis took it 20 yards before giving to Woods who eluded one defender and raced the final 20 for the try. Baker slots the conversion and UT had the lead 18-15. Both teams seemed determined to win the battle of field position with long kicks in behind the opponents backline. UT finally trapped Dartmouth back deep inside their own end and was rewarded with a change of possession. Josh Peay took the ball off the edge and charges across the tryline for the 5 pointer. Baker converts the UT is up 25-15. Throughout the day the players from both sides played with a determination that is fitting for the national tournament. After repeated warnings to both teams, the referee finally brought out the cards and Dartmouth had a player binned for diving over a ruck. Baker follows it up with a penalty kick and the lead mounts to 28-15. Just after the Dartmouth player returns to play, Jimmy Judge is yellow carded when he enters from the side of a tackle to prevent Dartmouth from taking the ball in for a probable try. UT is left to defend its lead with 14 players and 18 minutes on the clock. Dartmouth's strong #8 took a ball through several UT defenders for a try that closes the gap to 28-20. Judge returns to the field and the kicked balls finally begin to fall behind the pressing Dartmouth defenders. UT forces a lineout deep in Dartmouth's end of the field; the forwards gain solid possession and offer it to the hungry backs. Baker feeds Hartley who powers the final 10 meters with 4 Dartmouth defenders drapped over him. Baker converts and the lead increases to 35-20 with just a few minutes to play. Dartmouth has no quit and responds with another try by outflanking the Tennessee defense making the the final score Tennessee 35, Dartmouth 25.