In the gripping ninth episode of "The Winning Try," the narrative resumes with Ga-ram returning to his quarters, only to be confronted by a waiting Heung-nam. Heung-nam, seething with resentment over the rugby team's unexpected surge in performance, hurls accusations at Ga-ram, claiming he's doping his players. After storming out, Heung-nam manages to swipe Ga-ram's medication, prompting Ga-ram to hastily pursue him, only to be interrupted by an urgent meeting request from Seong-jun.
Elsewhere, Woo-jin finds himself in a hospital bed, sparking Principal Kang to establish an investigative committee to unravel the latest incident. I-ji, steadfast in her conviction, insists that Nak-gyun physically assaulted Woo-jin, whereas Nak-gyun tries to dismiss it as a mere disciplinary mishap. Jong-man, aligning with the principal, issues a stern warning to Nak-gyun against any actions that might derail his impending promotion. Heung-nam, undeterred, bursts into Jong-man's office with Ga-ram's missing medication, but Jong-man, already irritable, brushes him off, dismissing his grievances as mere whining.
Fuming with frustration, Heung-nam takes out his anger on the rugby team. He summons them to the nurse's office, where he distributes doping test kits, still fixed on the notion that Ga-ram is behind their unnatural improvement. Ga-ram, catching wind of the situation, storms into the nurse's office, fury igniting in his eyes. A heated confrontation ensues, culminating in a chaotic wrestle amidst a scatter of produce. Soon after, both the rugby and aerobics teams arrive, drawn into the fray, each side defiantly standing by their respective coaches amidst the brewing brawl.
Principal Kang initiates disciplinary measures by shuffling the coaching duties, compelling Ga-ram and Heung-nam to take charge of each other's teams in an attempt to foster empathy through their new roles. Connected by earpieces, they tentatively agree to refrain from interfering with each other's training routines, allowing the teams to proceed autonomously.
However, Heung-nam, observant as ever, notices a lack of flexibility within the rugby team and, despite Ga-ram's cautionary advice, decides to intervene and address the issue. Simultaneously, Ga-ram finds himself assisting the aerobics team with their coordination, breaking their agreed-upon boundary.
Following the training sessions, both teams unanimously conclude that the coaching switch was an ill-conceived idea. United in this realization, they devise a plan to reconcile their coaches' differences by locking Ga-ram and Heung-nam in a utility room until they resolve their spat.
In a dramatic turn, Ga-ram suffers a respiratory attack, compelling Heung-nam to hand over his medication. Ga-ram confides in Heung-nam about his health condition, explaining that he relies on the medication to manage his symptoms until the nationals, after which he plans to undergo surgery.
Heung-nam finds himself resonating deeply with Ga-ram's compassion for the rugby team, recalling his own near-expulsion due to poor performance. This shared experience allows him to appreciate Ga-ram's efforts and intentions.
Their reconciliation leads Ga-ram and I-ji to invite Heung-nam for drinks, joined by Seok-bong and his wife. To everyone's surprise, it transpires that they were all friends during their high school days at Hanyang, two decades ago. Heung-nam reveals that he too was once a rugby player but switched to aerobics after being benched by his coach during matches. He had harbored resentment towards Ga-ram for what he perceived as a snub due to his perceived inadequacies.
However, Ga-ram clarifies that he had actually requested the coach to bench Heung-nam temporarily because of an injury. This revelation leaves Heung-nam filled with regret for nurturing a grudge for two decades over a mere misunderstanding.
I-ji's anxiety about the investigation committee proves well-founded as Nak-gyun makes his move, visiting Woo-jin's mother. During the committee's hearing, I-ji reveals her role in drafting Woo-jin's admission letter, only to discover that Nak-gyun tampered with it to favor Seol-hyun. In a heated confrontation, Nak-gyun physically attacks Woo-jin when confronted, yet claims it was merely an accident, garnering Woo-jin's mother's unwavering support. Nak-gyun sweetens the deal by pledging to aid Woo-jin's admission to Daehan University a year hence, using training sessions with professional teams as a guise to expose her true colors.
Post-meeting, I-ji confronts Woo-jin's mother, driven by the conviction that she acted in Woo-jin's best interest. I-ji ponders whether her actions stemmed from maternal instinct or a desire to cultivate Woo-jin solely as an athlete. Woo-jin's mother counters by asserting their unity,批评I-ji's inclination to separate the athlete from the daughter, thereby deeming her an unsuitable coach. This encounter solidifies Nak-gyun's dominance, ultimately forcing I-ji's resignation from the school.
Ga-ram, incensed by the turn of events, urges I-ji to fight back. However, I-ji opts to hang up her coaching whistle, deciding instead to lace up her cleats for one final sprint at the nationals. Meanwhile, Woo-jin resumes her training under Nak-gyun's watchful, yet oppressive, eye. Her condition deteriorates rapidly, as Nak-gyun's bullying intensifies, culminating in him chasing her from the training room whenever she flinches at his approach. Woo-jin's dizziness intensifies, nearly sending her tumbling down a flight of stairs, Fortunately, Ung catches her in the nick of time, rushing her to the nurse's office
Shortly thereafter, Seong-jun arrives on the scene, sensing that Ung and Woo-jin are withholding something from him. His suspicion towards Ung begins to fester. During a session with a professional team, Seong-jun pushes himself beyond his limits, driven by the coach's praise for Ung's innate rugby talent. This overexertion results in a shoulder injury.
Later that evening, while on a video call with I-ji, Seol-hyun alerts Ga-ram to Woo-jin's disappearance. A frantic search ensues until Woo-jin reaches out to I-ji from the hospital. Upon arrival, I-ji finds Woo-jin terrified that her shooting days are numbered due to her inability to maintain balance. Woo-jin weeps, haunted by the thought of her mother compelling her to quit. Despite everything, Woo-jin expresses her unwavering desire to continue shooting, even if it means she'll never be the best.
In response to her predicament, I-ji makes her way to Nak-gyun at a golf driving range, where she desperately pleads on her knees for the reinstatement of her job. Nak-gyun, relishing his power, cruelly humiliates I-ji by forcing her to kneel and act as his personal golf ball retriever. Heung-nan and Jong-man watch in visible disgust as Nak-gyun's behavior crosses all bounds of decency, yet he persists unabated.
As the episode draws to a close, Ga-ram enters the scene, his anger igniting like a wildfire. With a golf club in hand, he smashes a window in a fit of rage, his face a mask of fury and violence as he charges towards Nak-gyun, intent on confrontation.
