Tennessee High School Rugby

Inaugural THSR Women's State Championship
Maryville 12, Karns 10

Sunday, May 8, 2005
Maryville 12 - Karns 10

Maryville and Karns, the two powerhouses from Knoxville and quickly forming rivals, met in the first of the day's finals for a rematch of the closely contested SMAC Championship the week prior for the honor of being the first ever THSR Women's State Champs. More drama was on the docket this week.

Both teams worked out the nervousness early and set off many attacks and long runs only to be stopped by try saving defense again and again. Karns speedy #10 Caty Seals repeatedly pierced the line and had Maryville on their heels, but tournament MVP Jenny Beaman and her squad dug deep to defend their line an repelled.

Finally, Karns standout center Emily Pajcic broke free with a loose ball and raced 40 meters, eluding many defenders as she had all weekend, worked her magic and dotted down for the first points (unconverted). Then Maryville got some momentum of their own with solid work from the pack led by captain Kelli
Ierulli, slowing the game down and steadying the ship. They were rewarded with a try of their own aftera rolling maul (unconverted).

That would setup a battle of wills in the second half. Over 20 minutes of stalemate ball, with run after run by Seals around the ends, all shut down by the unbreakable Maryville defense. The Karns centers could find no daylight either. Then, once again, the Maryville forwards took over after lost ball and made their way for the line. With under 7 minutes to go, after several good rucks and ball movement to the 5-meter line, a pick and pass to the left saw a Maryville forward about to surely score. Right as she dotted for the lead, the referee went immediately back to the ruck spot (never signaling the try), signaled a penalty and brought out a red card for the Karns star Seals for an alleged boot to the head. A bit of chaos ensued as the referee explained his position to both teams. He eventually awarded the try where the Maryville
player dotted down and sent off the #10, much to the chagrin of the Karns faithful. With the lead 10-5, Jenny Beaman calmly and expertly slotted the extra points. 12-5

With 14 girls and little time, Karns put on an all-out offensive to try to tie. Pajcic nearly broke through several times but was denied and Karns would have to start over after clears or stolen balls from the emboldened Maryville girls. But suspense arrived as Pajcic received a ball at the 40 and shucked and jived and shook off tacklers to race to the line and scored under the posts, setting up the makeable tying kick. The massive pressure was on the #9 whose drop kick attempt sailed wide. 12-10. Maryville stoned Karns last ditch effort and celebrated the final whistle as the first ever THSR Women's State Champs.

A truly pleasurable game to watch as both teams showed excellent skill and team play, signaling many great things to come from the girls.