Scylla Wins DII National Title

The USA Rugby Women’s DII Club National Championship title returns to the Midwest, as the Milwaukee Scylla defeated San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) 16-15 today for the title.

RELATED: Scylla Gets Its Shot at Nationals

SFGG held onto the majority of the opening five minutes of possession, and in that time, hard-charging ballcarriers like lock Roz Okpara and outside center Erika Haro distinguished themselves as difference-makers. Scylla also coughed up three consecutive penalties to aid SFGG’s momentum, and flyhalf Lindsay Kinsler lined up the first of five attempts at goal. The kick was unsuccessful, and that change of possession allowed Scylla to regroup.

Inside center Abigail Williams sent a good drop-22 to midfield that relieved pressure and started a campaign that would see three-straight penalties from SFGG. Williams was an easy pick for championship MVP. She had the best boot on the pitch, joined the lineout, and was the physical presence in the back line. She accounted for all 16 points on two tries and two penalties. The first points of the game occurred approximately 11 minutes in on a penalty kick, and quickly afterward, Williams went on a thundering 50-meter run down the sideline, fending would-be tacklers en route to the try zone, 8-0.

SFGG was able to make good ground through reliable forwards like Okpara and Delaney Chapman, and when the ball moved wide, the team was more evasive. Haro was at the middle of it all, drawing the defense and putting players like Kristin Shum and Sara Maurer into space. The outside center has great vision as well, spied a mismatch while charging inside Scylla’s 22 meter, and powered across the line for a try, 8-5.

Into the second quarter, Scylla extended its lead to 11-5 on another Williams penalty. The opportunity originated from the Scylla scrum, and if it was eligible for an MVP award, then the set piece would have easily won it. The Milwaukee side dominated the scrum and although SFGG was able to hook the ball back quickly, it was always retreating and conceded some penalties.

Regardless, SFGG marched on undaunted, and again sent its piercing ballcarriers through the heart of the defense before moving wide. Okpara again did hard work, and Haro, close to the try line, heaved an offload to Maurer in support for the try. Kinsler’s conversion gave SFGG the 12-11 lead after 30 minutes.

SFGG was on the upswing and another Haro break continued with fullback Alexis Johnson to Scylla’s five meter. A turnover forced a Scylla scrum, which again allowed the Wisconsin team to relieve pressure. The NorCal side then lost lock Tyra Norlander, who was yellow carded at the bottom of a maul. A few minutes later, Scylla went quick from the penalty and hit Williams on the short side for another fending run to the try zone, 16-12. The half ended with a missed penalty attempt from SFGG.

Scylla penalty count climbed steadily upward in the second half, and referee Lee Bryant had a couple of chats with captain Kyla Hensel and individuals for high tackles and discipline in the breakdown. Kinsler converted one of those infractions into three points, 16-15 to Scylla with the fourth quarter to come.

Perhaps one of the most thrilling exchanges occurred inside SFGG’s 22 meter. Scylla’s scrum drew a penalty, as an SFGG second row popped up in the retreat. Williams sent the ball deep into SFGG’s end and the lineout moved wide, where SFGG did well to halt progress and force a maul. Scylla flanker Lori Haymon peeled out for a break and drew another penalty. The site was well in Williams’ range, but Scylla wanted the try.

A forward pass nullified wing Loren Schlei’s try, but advantage was being played for another Scylla scrum. Great pressure from SFGG scrumhalf Synthia Wright kept Scylla from running onto the ball, and excellent defense produced a turnover – but then the outlet pass skipped past Kinsler out the back. In the end, SFGG weathered the assault, cleared its lines, and then spent the final 10 minutes threatening Scylla’s try line.

As fatigue started to infiltrate both lineups, Scylla committed one too many breakdown infractions and was awarded a yellow card. Kinsler missed the penalty goal from the site of the yellow card, and Williams used the drop 22 to get out of danger. As SFGG tried to make the most of the player advantage, Chapman did really well to break tackles and frustrate the defense. But with 30 seconds on the clock, a good Scylla counterruck forced an SFGG knock-on, and then an early push in the subsequent scrum allowed Williams to kick to touch to end the game.

Congrats to both teams for producing a match worthy of a national final.

Milwaukee Scylla 16
Tries: Williams 2
Pens: Williams 2

SFGG 15
Tries: Haro, Maurer
Cons: Kinsler
Pens: Kinsler