UTAS Lions have spent much of Saturday frustrated on the cusp of urgent wins.
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The Tasmanians twice came close of pulling off upsets against more-fancied opponents at the third round of the National University Sevens Series in Brisbane.
American Kiki Morgan scored in the second minute to first give UTAS a 5-0 lead over Macquarie University.
The Lions then nearly kept a clean sheet in the first half until Macquarie crossed the line to equaliseon the siren.
The Sydneysiders scored on two more occasions after the break to win 17-5.
Olivia White would next returned fire against the two-time series winners University of Queensland to put UTAS 7-5 in front at half-time.
But again the visitors’ stoic defence couldn’t hold on, the Queenslanders hitting back twice late in the game to secure a 17-7 victory.
UTAS left its worse effort for its last pool match against University of Adelaide.
Conceding five unanswered tries – including four in under six minutes – would seal the Tasmanians’ fate.
But Launceston rookie Lauryn Cooper restored the Lions’ pride late, scoring her first five-pointer of the series in the 25-5 defeat.