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The University of Utah defeated rugby powerhouse California 31-26 in overtime to win the first-ever USA 7s Rugby Collegiate Championship Invitational.

Utah beat other 16 teams to the title at the three day event held at Columbus Crew Stadium.

Utah Freshman Don Pati proved the matchwinner scoring the winning try that broke Californian hearts in a pulsating Championship finale.

It was California who opened the scoring through captain Keegan Engelbrecht, but Utah were never overawed by their illustrious opponents and replied immediately through Blake Millar.

Dustin Muhn again gave Cali the lead again before USA Sevens international Thretton Palamo reduced the gap to 12-14 at the break.

Palamo proved a threat throughout finals day and his form continued in the second period dummying and scoring to give Utah a 19-14 lead. California scored soon after to making it 21-19 but Utah broke out from deep in their own half with Ryan Bailey scoring from 80m.

But with a minute left California replied through Conor Ring, with a missed conversion taking it into extra-time where Pati and Utah reigned supreme.

Utah looked steady on finals day clinically seeing off Navy (24-0) and a talented San Diego 17-10 en route to the final.

During the Pool stages Utah had beaten Penn State, Ohio State, and Bowling Green.

California lived up to their favourites tag earlier on dismantling Tennessee (36-0) in the quarter-finals and then 33-0 defeat of Arizona in the semi-finals.

"We came into the tournament really believing in ourselves and confident that we could win the whole thing," said Don Pati.

 "When I broke the line for that try, it was an indescribable feeling."

"The game was all about us sticking to our system and letting our athletes go out and play rugby," said Utah head coach Jason Pye.

Bowling Green beat Arizona State for the Challenger Bracket with winger Rocco Mauer grabbing the event’s MVP award with 11 tries.

"This was an historic weekend for introducing USA 7's Rugby to a national audience," said Dan Lyle, Tournament Director.

"We want to congratulate the Utah Utes and all the hard-working teams that competed in the tournament. We are thrilled at the success of this event and thankful for world-class partners led by NBC for helping raise the profile of USA 7's Rugby through the 2016 Olympics and beyond."