Tennessee High School Rugby

Ravenwood Girls Win State Rugby Championship
Ravenwood 10, Maryville 3

The Ravenwood High School girls bested Maryville by a score of 10-3 in the championship match of the Tennessee High School Rugby State Championships, played in Brentwood Tennessee, to become the 2007 State Champions. Ravenwood got to the Cup finals by running past the SMAC Conference Champions, Karns, 31-5. Maryville made it to the Cup by beating West Champions, Brighton, 21-12.

This year seemed to buck the norm as Knoxville usually dominates Girl's Tennessee rugby. However, it was not to be as a team from Middle Tennessee made the finals to give Maryville a go. It was apparent that this match was a battle between Maryville's experienced pack and Ravenwood's impressive kicking game and intense physicality in open field play. In fact, Maryville had no answer for Shannon and Lorelei Boone's adept foot skills as their back 3 continually knocked and mishandled many kicks all afternoon.

On Ravenwood's first score, they craftily kicked to the corner off a penalty which gave them a line-out about 10 meters out. Maryville knocked the ball on and Ravenwood was scrummed down close to goal. Ravenwood then went weak off the scrum when their MVP, #9 Shannon Boone, picked up, stood big and off-loaded to one of her props, Jewelia Lawrence, for the score. Conversion made 7-0. Ravenwood continued to get possession and throw it out to their backs who repeatedly put pressure on their opponents back 3. Penalty ensued and Ravenwood slotted the kick to go up 10-0 at half.

The second half was more of the same as Ravenwood kicked for position and overwhelmed Maryville with their physicality. In fact, Stephanie Furman, from Ravenwood thwarted any go forward and constantly caught her opposition on their back foot. Maryville seemed to be confused and unable to deal with Ravenwood's aggression and go-forward at the breakdown. Late in the game, Maryville earned a penalty and slotted 3 points to finally get on the board.

However, it was a little to late, as the whistle blew and Ravenwood won the 2007 Girls State Cup Title.