Franklin, WI–The state tournament opened on Saturday with an exhibition 10s game played by Brookfield and Hamilton JV. It was the first game to feature a JV side and the first 10s game played in Hamilton’s short history. While Brookfield narrowly escaped with a 20-17 win, Hamilton showed that their youth movement has a lot of promise, as nine of the thirteen Hamilton players to take the field were playing in their first season of rugby.
Sarah Michalski, senior, served as the team captain and scored the opening try with a powerful run through the Brookfield line. She would also covert the kick, giving her team a 7-0 lead minutes into the game.
Brookfield worked the ball down the line to create some open breakaway scores to take a 15-7 lead, but Hamilton didn’t quit.
MacKenna Deede, freshman, threw a short ball to Norah Miller, freshman, in a lineout close to the tryline. Miller rumbled through Brookfield players as she cut the lead to 15-12.
Unfortunately, Brookfield found their way across the tryline again, advancing their lead to 20-12.
Yet, this didn’t deter Hamilton, as Madi Martinez, sophomore, stole the ball from the Brookfield player and dove across the line to narrow the lead to 20-17 with only a minute left to play.
The Harriers were unable to return the kickoff before time expired and before they could steal another try to finish the comeback.
–Martinez, Michalski, and Miller scored the first tries of their careers.
–Michalski served as captain for the first time in her career.
–Caralynn Doese, Grace Kurucz, and Mabel Jankowski made their return from injury in this game.
–Grace Kurucz and Rosie Eesley left the game with injuries.
–Izzy Leiner, Mia Leukert, Katie Palmer, and Michelle Wehrman also made their 10s debut in this game.
Fantastic Five
- Sarah Michalski
- Scored the first try and was excellent as she was asked to play prop and scrum half.
- Madi Martinez
- Her excellent defense led to a try that got Hamilton back in the game.
- Norah Miller
- Her tough run at a critical moment gave the team confidence to finish strong.
- MacKenna Deede
- Won scrums as a hooker and made a great pass to Miller on the lineout.
- Haylee Kraker
- Fearless entering rucks even when she was the only one there.
Hamilton RFC 