The Idaho Grey Wolves are the Girls Elite North American Invitational 7s champions after defeating Atlantis in a thrilling 19-17 win on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

The girls bracket as a whole provided plenty of dramatic games during the two-day tournament. The Atavus All-Stars needed every ounce to beat the Utah Lions (also an Atavus-supported team) 17-12 to take third. The Land Park Harlequins edged the Rocky Mountain Rebels by a try to win the fifth-place game 19-14.



On day one of the round-robin part of the competition, Atlantis defeated the Grey Wolves 26-20 in a game that was every bit as nail-biting as the final.

The Grey Wolves led 20-14 with time almost up when Atlantis scored in the corner. Knowing that kicking the conversion would take time off the clock and that a kick from the sideline was unlikely to yield the game-winning points, Atlantis opted not to take the kick and restart the game. While the Grey Wolves had possession after the restart didn't go 10 meters, Atlantis were able to defend, steal the ball from a ruck just meters from their goal line, and then send Kate Buzby off for a 95-meter jaunt that saw her score the winning try.



In their finals rematch, the Grey Wolves were reminded of Buzby's try-scoring abilities as she went the distance to give Atlantis the lead. But with Kathryn Stowers moving the ball at scrumhalf and working hard in support, the Grey Wolves answered with a try that was capped off by a hard-charging run from Penina Faamausili and kicked the conversion to tie the game 7-7.

In an intense, physical game, both teams had trouble freeing their speedy outside backs for tries. It wasn't until late in the first half that anyone would score -- Atlantis tapped on a penalty and Buzby just skated a little to her left and was through from 50 meters out. But the conversion in front of the posts was missed, and the Atlantis lead at halftime was 12-7.



Stowers was involved in every aspect of a movement that ended with the Grey Wolves scrumhalf tapping quickly on a penalty and scoring from short range. She converted for the 14-12 lead. Finally, Atlantis was able to free up Ariana Ramsey, who burst down the sideline and beat two defenders for a try in the corner and a 17-14 lead. It was all down to who would score next.

Hard running from Lua Stowers and Lawanda Aspinal put the Grey Wolves in scoring position. Atlantis had the opportunity to get out of trouble, but a loose pass led to a penalty for holding onto the ball in the tackle. The Grey Wolves pounced, running hard up the gut before sending it out to Stowers, who showed a nice sidestep and took the ball in for the game-winner.



It was an exciting finish to a well-played girls tournament. The Idaho Grey Wolves, oddly, aren't from Idaho. The players in the lower brackets are indeed from the Gem State, but with injuries and player attrition, the Grey Wolves program couldn't field the three teams they wanted to field. So, after a little discussion with United (Utah) head coach Colin Puriri, his mostly United team (with a couple of Idaho additions) stepped in and took care of business.

Atlantis should not feel any shame. Clearly the two teams were very close, and it seemed like any game they play will come down to the wire. Clara Lemal-Brown, Alie Ramage, Ramsey, and Buzby sparkled for Atlantis. Stowers, Charity Tenney, Miley Schaap, and Faamausili were superb for the Grey Wolves.

In other action in girls rugby at the NAI 7s, the Valley Panthers dominated the U18 Open division, winning all five games and outscoring opponents 140-17. They beat the Upright Rugby Rogues in the final 17-7.

In the U16s, the Land Park Harlequins played tenacious defense and showcased some superb athleticism as the Sacramento-area team defeated the South Bay Spartans 12-5 in the final.

Land Park also took the U14 title.