Despite missing seven players to ITTs, NOVA WRFC fielded two teams for Lehigh Valley 7s this part weekend. NOVA B, having lost several players to the first side and featuring several players new to 7s rugby had a good day. In its first two games of pool play NOVA B lost to Western and tournament runner up Brandywine by a combined total of 12 points. While both matches were winnable, the side's inexperience showed mainly on defense, which allowed a couple of tries too easily. NOVA B found its stride in its third match and shut out the opposition. In pool play, NOVA B outscored their opponents 36-29, but ended up 1-2 before facing the NRU Developmental in the Quarterfinals.

All day, NOVA B would suck defenses in with penetrating runs from props Kaitlin "Patch" Joerger and Meg "I ain't got no nickname" Gibbon. Sarah H ran excellent supporting lines and maintained possession when her textbox bridging technique intimidated the defense into conceding the possession. In the Quarterfinals, however, that plan fell apart when the bigger and more physical players from NRU's select side began attacking both the runs of the props and the bridging. Unfortunately, NOVA B couldn't respond and ended up losing in a rout. In summary, though, it was a great day for several members of the side to gain valuable experience. They now know how close they were to finishing pool play 3-0 rather than 1-2.

On the day, NOVA A outscored the opposition 167-15, but the semifinals and finals were well contested. NOVA opened the day with routs over the Maryland Stingers (42-0), Brandywine 2 (38-0), and Philadelphia (39-5). In the quarterfinals against Harrisburg, NOVA never really found a rhythm and limped to 17-5 victory. In the most challenging match of the day, NOVA faced off with second seeded NRU Developmental. In last year's tournament, NOVA eked out a victory over the same team in the semis. This year, we knew the NRU side would be seeking vengeance. NRU had several opportunities to exploit a defense that would bend, but they couldn't find enough support to make the final break. NOVA recorded tries from solid play from the whole side and finishes from Jen "SBJ" Starkey and Rebecca "Rookie" Kigin. The final score of the semifinal game was 12-0.

The final looked to be an interesting matchup with Brandywine 1, whose main threat would come from Ashley Farmer, a former 7s Eagle striking from the prop position. NOVA drew first blood from a lineout when Rookie dished off to an inside-striking SBJ, who went in untouched for a try and conversion. On the ensuing series, prop Sarah Chobot made an excellent break through the line and appeared likely to score. Indecision and lack of timely support, however, were her downfall. The sweeper made an excellent play and support from prop Kathy Lett and winger SBJ were there, but just a little out of range. Chobot regained her feet and recovered the ball only to be penalized for hands in on a "ruck" with only two people (very creative refereeing, we think). NOVA had another opportunity to score with a scrum inside Brandywine' 22; however, NOVA lost possession on the put in, Brandywine found speedster Ashley Farmer who quickly outpaced the NOVA line. SBJ gave desperate pursuit, nearly caught the speedster, and forced her to score the try in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful and NOVA led at halftime 7-5.

NOVA kicked off to start the second half and applied consistent pressure. Reliable tackling forced Brandywine to attack deep from its own territory. NOVA soon gained possession and found SBJ, who made the most of another opportunity and dotted down again. The conversion, however, was unsuccessful and NOVA led only by a converted try. NOVA's consistent play and defense prevented any other real threats from developing. On the final play, NOVA forced a turnover near the Brandywine try line, and Sarah Chobot put in a great effort to cross the field, gather the ball from a teammate, and score another try. With this 19-5 victory, NOVA win the Lehigh Valley tournament for the second straight year.

So far this year, NOVA have won both tournaments they have entered, and they have used 16 different players to do so. Next week, they return 2 more players to the starting lineup as they try to continue their undefeated season at NOVA men's tournament.

 

NoVA Hotline: 703.715.6888