Rugby Ohio’s girls 7s title went to a team from out of the state, as West Pitt defeated Brunswick in a close one in the final.
West Pitt plays in Ohio because the travel to the Cleveland area is much easier. They will also compete in the Rugby Pennsylvania finals a week from now.
The tournament was a straight quarterfinal-semifinal-final bracket.
In the opening round, West Pitt’s speed and ability to move the ball with accuracy saw them past Perrysburg 29-0. Perrysburg had plenty of possession and tested the smaller West Pitt players, but every time they turned the ball over, the Pennsylvania team was off to the races—Ella Frey scored two tries but it was a solid team performance.
Perry went on to win both of their consolation bracket games to take 5th.
Hudson was in a back-and-forth battle with Medina. While Medina showed some serious pace, Hudson worked the interior a bit more and Sarah Poole’s late try saw her side through 22-21. But they also had some ability out wide and Sophie Ferri’s elusiveness was on full display in a sidestepping odyseey in which she stepped away from every Medina defender on her way to a crucial second-half score.
Led by Sophie Allen and Marian Cleary, the Brunswick Valkyries ran away from Perry 37-14.
And in the fourth quarterfinal St. Joseph’s got on the board early but the overall pace of Highland, led by captain Vivien Bogdanski, put them through 22-10.
In the semifinals West Pitt was in a tough back-and-forth tussle with Hudson. The West Pitt side hung on to their tackles and once again showcased their breakaway ability, with Ellie Nurss leading well, making breaks, and setting up teammates. West Pitt took that game 33-7.
For Brunswick it was a lot more difficult and with Avery Plesac creating chances they manages to hold off Highland 22-14 thanks to two late tries.
