If you believe in rugby gods, then they surely were looking over the Wisconsin Women on Saturday.
After suffering a last-second 12-11 loss to the Milwaukee Scylla last Saturday, Wisconsin earned the #2 spot in the Central League standings and traveled northwest to Minnesota to play the Northern League’s #1, the Twin Cities Amazons.
The home team opened up scoring first taking a 7-0 lead. Wisconsin answered back with a try by flanker Meghan Blodgett, coverted by hooker Elisa Becker, to even it at 7-7. The Zons took advantage of a lethargic first half for Wisconsin knocking in two more tries to build their lead to 19-7 before Wisconsin got on the board one more time with a try by prop Melissa “Helga” Pohleber (conversion missed) to notch 19-12. Prior to the half, the Amazons broke through Wisconsin’s defense a fourth time to enter the break at 24-12.
It was the tale of two halves however, as Wisconsin rallied back from it’s subpar first half to dominate play in the second half, with two more tries by Meaghan White and Mary Hanks, respectively. Weather conditions made kicking difficult and Wisconsin failed to convert on their scores, but shut down the Amazon attack successfully, allowing just a single penalty kick as time wound down.
Down 27-22 with no time left on the clock, Wisconsin’s outside center Nicole Helmer received a pass weakside from flyhalf Meaghan White to race in and score a try in the corner to tie the match.
The Assistant Referee signaled the try and the Wisconsin sideline exploded with cheers, however the Head Referee signaled a forward pass call to pull back the play, then immediately signaled the end of game. Many questioned the call (among others throughout the game), but the 27-22 result stood and Wisconsin’s season was done prematurely.
… Or was it?
Wisconsin’s long ride home and Sunday recovery saw a team distraught and angry at Saturday’s final play and the overall result of the last two game’s losses both in the final seconds. Coach Bob Jafferis credited the team for putting together one of the best comebacks he had seen in 30-some years of playing and coaching rugby. Amidst the mourning, plans were hatched for the off-season and how the team could rally back in 2013.
Monday proved a fateful day for the team however, as Wisconsin team captain Nadia Riese notified her teammates that – despite the loss – Wisconsin had qualified to the 2012 D2 Women’s Midwest Championships after all. Citing injuries and low roster numbers, the Amazons had forfeited the win to Wisconsin and could not travel to the Midwest tournament in two weekends. The official score would be recorded as 28-0 win for Wisconsin.
Further proof of the rugby gods favoring Wisconsin? They’ll play the Pittsburgh Angels in the first match of the tournament, earning a shot at revenge for the 2011 Midwest Championship final loss played in the snow and mud in Pittsburgh. The winners of this match will play the winner of the Milwaukee Scylla – Scioto Valley semifinal.
More details posted soon.