Episode 5 of "The Winning Try" resumes where our intrigue piqued, with I-ji stumbling upon an unconscious Ga-ram sprawled across the hallway. Rushing to his aid, I-ji's intentions are sidetracked by the timely arrival of Principal Kang. She cunningly persuades I-ji that Ga-ram's slumped state stems from intoxication, convincing her to entrust Ga-ram's well-being to her care.
A nostalgic flashback transports us three years back, where Ga-ram awakens tardily for practice, only to realize his vision is hazy. During the session, his muscles betray him, causing an abrupt collapse. Seeking medical attention, he learns he suffers from Myasthenia Gravis, a condition that induces abnormal muscular weakness and fatigue.
In the present, Ga-ram revisits the same physician, who expresses concern over his missed monthly appointments. Ga-ram, however, insists on his improvement and declines a thorough examination, eager to return to school for rugby practice. He reassuringly affirms his adherence to medication, a habitually playful bubble-blowing ritual to monitor his breathing.
Back at the school's corridors of power, Vice Principal Jong-man remains steadfast in his mission to stifle the rugby team's spirit. He steadfastly refuses to rearrange practice schedules, denying the rugby team access to the field. Yet, in a tactical blunder, he concedes to let them practice elsewhere, provided they do not encroach upon other teams' sessions.
Ga-ram and Principal Kang, already conniving a scheme, await Jong-man's green light. With the swimming team away for a competition, the pool lies unoccupied—a prime opportunity for Ga-ram. He converts the pool into a unique strength-training venue, catching Heung-nam's eye, who expresses interest in adopting a similar regimen for his team. Jong-man's resolve falters, yet Ga-ram's ingenuity continues to outmaneuver obstacles, keeping the rugby team's hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Woo-jin and I-ji face the consequences of their deliberate defeat during the tryouts, with penalties meted out accordingly. Nak-gyun appoints Seol-hyun as the new captain of the shooting team, while I-ji is sentenced to a grueling day of posture training. Upon learning of their punishment, Seong-jun is consumed by guilt, believing he bears some responsibility. He had accused Woo-jin of tattling and asked her to lose the match as a favor, leading him to seek her out to apologize.
Seeing an opportunity to speak with Woo-jin, Seong-jun takes a shot in the dark, revealing to her that I-ji and Ga-ram were once a formidable couple. He further suggests that Woo-jin should consider him as a potential partner, only to be promptly and bluntly rejected. His teammates, Myeong-u and Hyeong-sik, witness this rejection from their hiding place in the shadows.
The rugby team is required to train on a spacious field, ample for chasing after kicked balls. Ga-ram pays a visit to Seok-bong's restaurant and bumps into his football team, just returning from their training session. Ga-ram strikes upon an idea; he proposes a football match between the football team and the rugby team the following day, on the condition that they allow the rugby team to use their field afterwards. The rugby team is blindsided by this arrangement and only learns about the game when they arrive on the field the next day.
During the match, Ga-ram turns it into a training session for his team, enforcing rugby rules despite the football setting. The team is exhausted after the grueling game, but Ga-ram reminds them that they must win the national championship to secure the future of the rugby team at Hanyang.
With all the other schools having established practice matches amongst themselves, Ga-ram hatches an unconventional plan: organizing a match against the OK rugby club, his alma mater. However, the team harbors no fondness for Ga-ram, necessitating his earnest pleading for the opportunity. He openly acknowledges that since his return, he has found himself in situations where begging was the only resort.
News of the practice match ignites excitement within the team, but Yeong-gwang's enthusiasm is swiftly dampened upon realizing that the game coincides with his police entrance exam. He confides in Ga-ram, expressing his firm belief that rugby, particularly for Hanyang, is not his destiny. Ga-ram, respectful of his decision, does not coerce him but offers an insightful challenge—to prove his worth through a grueling task. He sets Yeong-gwang the challenge of hitting 300 dropkicks, promising to allow him to take the exam only if he manages 200. Despite falling short with 163, Ga-ram encourages him, highlighting that this score surpasses that of a renowned pro player who occupied the same position.
Ga-ram goes on to nurture Yeong-gwang's understanding of his latent abilities, handing him the signed permission slip with conviction. Meanwhile, Ga-ram leads the team to the practice match, with Seok-bong stepping in as a substitute. On his part, Yeong-gwang stumbles upon a heartfelt note tucked away in snacks from his teammates, filled with unwavering support for his choice and urging him to give his all.
Determined to seize the moment, Yeong-gwang decides to forgo the exam and joins his teammates on the court for the pivotal match. With steadfast resolve, he informs Ga-ram that his time to depart the field has not yet arrived. Though the team ultimately falls to the seasoned professionals, their impressive tally of 12 points against the pros serves as a significant morale booster, igniting a spark of hope within them.
Elsewhere, I-ji stands at the precipice of her final opportunity to secure a spot on a professional team through the tryouts. A flashback reveals that three years prior, she was ousted from her own professional squad after abandoning a match in search of Ga-ram.
During the intense tryouts, I-ji displays remarkable prowess, though Woo-jin shines even brighter. Jong-man and Nak-gyun observe with keen eyes that I-ji might just edge out a qualification spot, a prospect that spells doom for Seol-hyun's dreams.
Nak-gyun singles I-ji out mid-match, his voice dripping with menace as he threatens to derail her entire career, ensuring neither a pro team nor a coaching position will ever beckon her. Cornered and with no viable alternatives, I-ji is compelled to allow her final shot to expire untouched, thereby paving the way for Seol-hyun to claim the fourth and final position.
