Episode 6 of "The Winning Try" kicks off with an intense scene at the hospital, where Seok-bong and Ga-ram find themselves amidst the sterile hallways. Close on their heels is Coach Heung-nam, who trails Ga-ram to the medical facility. His inquisitive glance asks why Ga-ram has ventured to the hospital amidst school hours. Their hastily concocted tale about Seok-bong's back injury flaring up crumbles under Heung-nam's skeptical scrutiny.
Elsewhere, I-ji grapples with a tsunami of anxiety following the tryouts, her once confident aim now wavy and uncertain. She finds herself unable to shoot, her spirit dampened by doubt.
The following day, anticipation electricates the air as the tournament brackets are unveiled. To everyone's consternation, Hanyang High is pitted against the reigning champions, Daesang High, in their opening match. Panic ripples through the team; Daesang not only boasts an impressive title but is also coached by their former mentor, against whom they have already suffered defeat.
Ga-ram steps forward, his voice a beacon amidst the storm, reminding them of their shared dream – to lift the National championship trophy. His words ignite a spark within the team, rejuvenating their spirit.
At a subsequent faculty meeting, Jong-man underscores the critical need to attract scouts to their games, emphasizing their pivotal role in showcasing the team's talent. The coaches, determined and relentless, pull every string in their arsenal to ensure the scouts' presence. Jong-man's concern extends to the rugby team, whose world has shunned Ga-ram.
Ga-ram, undeterred, vows to secure the scouts' attendance by any means necessary. With resolve in his heart, he excuses himself from the team, heading to Seok-bong's restaurant for a taste of comfort food. Before departing, he challenges his teammates to a mini-game, his mind already plotting how to lure the scouts to their upcoming contests.
Ga-ram steels himself for rejection, yet he is repeatedly ejected from every professional team and university's doors. Mustering his last ounce of courage, he approaches his former mentor, Coach Hyeon-jong, at Yonhee University's rugby team. The coach greets him with a frown, yet reluctantly grants Ga-ram an audience. Ga-ram humbly pleads with the coach to afford the players a chance, unclouded by prejudice.
A fleeting memory resurfaces: Ga-ram had once chosen Hanyang High as his platform to impart the true essence of rugby—playing as a unified team. He confesses that despite being hailed as the nation's finest rugby player, his reliance on individual prowess, rather than teamwork, led him astray, ultimately culminating in the doping scandal that tarnished his reputation.
At school, whispers begin to circulate that I-ji deliberately tanked her tryouts to pave the way for Seol-hyun. When I-ji enters the shooting club, she neither confirms nor denies the rumors but sternly instructs the students to persist with their training.
Suddenly, I-ji and Nak-gyun are summoned to Principal Kang's office. Seol-hyun's father, enraged by the summons implying his daughter's involvement in match-fixing, demands that I-ji rectify her poor performance at the association and clear Seol-hyun's name. Principal Kang, confident in I-ji's integrity, reassures her of her unwavering support, vowing to assist whenever needed.
I-ji's troubles deepen when she encounters Woo-jin's mother, who harbors doubts about her suitability as Woo-jin's coach. The woman then berates Woo-jin for finishing second at the national tryouts, insisting that he must aid her in achieving her ambitions. Overhearing their conversation, Ung steps in to diffuse the tense situation and escorts Woo-jin's mother away.
Meanwhile, Ga-ram has successfully transformed the rugby team's fortunes. In Ung's absence, the team takes it upon themselves to tutor him in the basics of rugby during informal training sessions. Ga-ram catches them in the midst of practicing tackling maneuvers, their camaraderie and determination palpable.
Ung grapples with the art of tackling, and his challenge appears to stem from a deep-seated psychological barrier. After Ga-ram dismisses everyone to their beds, Ung trails him to his office, seeking clarification on whether tackling is indispensable to rugby's essence. Ga-ram endeavors to persuade him, emphasizing the bravery required to charge at an opponent, embracing the risk of injury as an inherent part of the game. Meanwhile, Heung-nam brings up Ga-ram's mysterious hospital visit, prompting Jong-man to vow relentless pursuit until the truth behind Ga-ram's secrets is unveiled.
During roll call, I-ji's absence prompts concern among the students, who initiate a search for her whereabouts. Ga-ram, midst conversation with Ung, notices a knock and reveals that I-ji had earlier requested his assistance with roll call, which he inadvertently overlooked. He directs the students to return to their rooms, assuring them he will handle the matter.
Later, Ga-ram discovers I-ji in the shooting clubroom, still wrestling with her aim. He gently relieves her of the gun, and I-ji's pent-up emotions spill over into tears, casting blame upon Ga-ram. Once her sobs subside, she confides in him, revealing her terror of becoming obsolete overnight. Ga-ram, resonating deeply, admits to harboring the same fear.
At the association, Nak-gyun pressures I-ji to feign the 'yips,' urging her to claim a sudden, inexplicable loss of shooting ability. I-ji's anger flares at the suggestion, seeing it as a betrayal of their professional integrity. Nak-gyun persists, insisting it's the sole path to salvaging their careers. Almost slipping during the tribunal, Nak-gyun nearly reveals I-ji's struggle aloud, but she intervenes swiftly, constructing a narrative of anxiety taking over as she unexpectedly lost points. Her mind became a tumult, freezing her mid-competition, unable to execute the final shot.
Back at school, Jong-man is determined to uncover the mystery behind Ga-ram's hospital visit. During their routine meeting with the coaches, Jong-man announces that, from now on, coaches must also submit health reports during the President’s Cup tournaments. Ga-ram remains calm, but Jong-man persists in his quest. He delves into Ga-ram's file and discovers to his surprise that it indicates no prior illnesses. Meanwhile, Heung-nam accidentally stumbles upon Ga-ram during one of his episodes. A medicine box falls from Ga-ram's grasp, and he struggles to retrieve the bottles. Heung-nam cautions him to conceal his struggles more discreetly, hinting at the curiosity of certain individuals.
Upon reaching the rugby club room, Ga-ram finds Hyeong-sik writhing in pain on the floor. They hastily rush him to the nurse’s office, where the players confess that Hyeong-sik injured his shoulder during a playful scuffle. Ga-ram is livid, and the players are forced to grovel for his forgiveness.
At the episode's climax, Ga-ram presents I-ji with a pair of earplugs, identical to those once given to her by Principal Kang. Revealing that the earplugs have since been discontinued, Ga-ram admits to having stockpiled them especially for her. I-ji is moved to tears, her heart fluttering with a mix of emotions. Ga-ram's abrupt departure three years ago still haunts her, but his thoughtful gesture suggests a deeper connection. Suddenly, Ga-ram begins to experience another episode. He attempts to walk away from I-ji but collapses, his strength failing him.
I-ji quickly rushes him to the hospital. When he regains consciousness, she confronts him about his condition, realizing that his sudden disappearance and the doping incident are intertwined with a larger scandal.
