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Rugby ATL claimed a hard-fought 33-18 bonus point win over the New England Free Jacks. It was a 70-minute cliffhanger in Georgia before two yellow cards to Free Jacks forwards saw the visitors finishing with 13 men. It enabled ATL to seal the win which takes them to the top of the Eastern Conference.
The first try came very early. Hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg touched down to give Rugby ATL a dream start. The New England Free Jacks’ first points came in the form of a penalty. Beaudein Waaka landed a simple attempt from in front to make it 5-3 after 12 minutes.
Man of the match Adriaan Carelse set-up try number two. The fly half put in a perfectly weighted kick for Te Rangatira Waitokia to chase and dot down. Carelse then added the conversion.
The Free Jacks again responded to the try with a penalty. Shortly thereafter, Rugby ATL were in for their third try. It was a again from a kick, this time Robbie Petzer put it through for Carelse to chase and gather. The Free Jacks response came with their opening try of the match. Harry Barlow powered over to make it a 19-13 half time scoreline.
The scorers got even closer in the second half. Scrum half John Poland made it a one point contest. From a quick tap penalty, he darted. The 52nd minute try was unconverted and was the only second half score until the 70th minute.
Rugby ATL left their charge late. They went over for a late double with the Free Jacks unable to control their discipline. Referee Mike Lash yellow carded two players within one minute for infringements while Rugby ATL was in try-scoring range. The numerical advantage was capitalized on by Ross Deacon.
Deacon’s try gave Rugby ATL the bonus point; yet, there was still time for one more. The final try was also the match winner. Replacement Bautista Ezcurra linked with center Mark O’Keeffe. He ran past two defenders before reaching full-speed as the defenders could only watch him charge to the line.
The win gives Rugby ATL three in a row. Next up is an away match against the Seattle Seawolves at Starfire Stadium. The New England Free Jacks travel to New York for a derby against RUNY.
SCORING
ATL 33
Tries – M. Janse van Rensburg (8′), T. Waitokia (20′), A. Carelse (29′), R. Deacon (71′), M. O’Keeffe (78′)
Cons – A. Carelse 2/3 (21′, 72′), No kick 2 (29′, 78′)
Yellow cards – M. O’Keeffe (79′), D. van Schalkwyk (80′)
NEW ENGLAND 18
Tries – H. Barlow (31′), J. Poland (52′)
Cons – B. Waaka 1/2 (32′)
Pens – B. Waaka 2/2 (12′, 23′)
Yellow cards – V. Toluta’u (70′), J. Thiebes (71′)
TEAMS
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (18 Jonas Petrakopoulos 71′), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (16 Neethling Gericke 63′), 3 Wikus Groenewald (17 Manasa Saulo 62′), 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Vili Helu (20 Ross Deacon 55′), 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm (19 Conor Keys 73′), 9 Ryan Rees (23 Duncan van Schalkwyk 62′), 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Austin White (21 Jeremy Misailegalu HT), 12 Robbie Petzer (22 Bautista Ezcurra 61′), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Rory van Vugt
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Quentin Newcomer (18 Kyle Ciquera 64′), 2 Pieter Jansen (16 Vili Toluta’u 61′), 3 Erich de Jager (17 Spencer Krueger 79′), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Justin Johnson (20 Tera Mtembu 61′ {2 Pieter Jansen 71′}), 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie (22 Evan Geist 78′), 9 John Poland (21 Tom Brusati 78′), 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Dougie Fife, 14 Poasa Waqanibau, 15 Beaudein Waaka (23 Peceli Rinakama 69′)
Not used: 19 Matt Wirken
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
