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By Alex Goff
NOVA defeated Charlotte 22-17 in the final of the Mid-Atlantic club 7s championships, securing the top seed from that territory to the USA Rugby 7s National Championships.
| Photos by Barry Corke, used with permission. Top, Thretton Palamo on his way to the tournament-winning try against Charlotte. Below, Charlotte's Samoan international Morgan Salesa; NOVA's PJ Komongnan speeding away against Maryland; pool play action from early in the day. |
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Charlotte, which led until late in the second half, finished 2nd and will accompany NOVA to Nationals.
It was a tough road to the championships for NOVA, which has made a habit of starting slowly in tournaments. They almost lost to Charlotte in pool play, winning 7-5, and tied Kutztown 12-12. But their 2-0-1 record was good enough for the top seed out of their pool.
In the semis they faced Baltimore-Chesapeake, who looked impressive in running out to a 14-0 lead. However, just as the end of the first half, NOVA wing/scrumhalf PJ Komongnan found a gap and raced 50 meters to score. That turned the tide. Ed Stockunas scored a try and then Komongnan added another to seal a 21-14 win.
"We needed to start communicating," Komongnan told RUGBYMag.com. "With guys who aren't around to be at practice all the time, we have to talk to each other. Toshi [Palamo] told us to stay positive and do what we do, and communicate."
In the final, Charlotte led 17-12 with time winding down. But a long score from Terris Gregory tied the game 17-17. And then NOVA sealed it as center/prop Thretton Palamo took off the score in the corner. 22-17 final score.
"Charlotte, Baltimore, Maryland, they're all good teams, so is Kutztown," said Komongnan. "They really pushed us, and that's how it has to be. For [USA coach] Al Caravelli to find better players for the national team, he has to have guys who have to compete. We aren't going to waltz into winning a national championship; we're going to have to work for it. And we had to work for it today."
Round 1
Washington 0 Exiles 38
Baltimore 32 Wilmington 7
Charlotte 24 Kutztown 5
NOVA 33 Norfolk 0
Round 2
Exiles 14 Wilmington 5
Baltimore 26 Washington 10
Kutztown 32 Norfolk 0
Charlotte 5 NOVA 7
Round 3
Exiles 19 Baltimore 10
Wilmington 10 Washington 24
Norfolk 12 Charlotte 33
NOVA 12 Kutztown 12
Semis
MD Exiles 10 Charlotte 19
NOVA 21 Balt Ches 14
Final
NOVA 22 Charlotte 17
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