Free Jacks edge Arrows in sloppy conditions

The New England Free Jacks took a 14-12 results over the visiting Toronto Arrows 14-12 at Union Point Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Played in wet and windy conditions, both sides took a tactical approach and continuity suffered as a result.

A feeling-out process ended at the 9 minute mark when Beaudein Waaka landed a penalty goal with his first opportunity. He followed that with a second just two minutes later to give the Free Jacks a 6-nil lead.

The Arrows got on the board just seconds after the restart. A turnover at the breakdown won possession and Will Kelly hit Adrian Wadden on a flat line, the rangy lock ambling over from 30 meters. Kelly’s conversion nudged Toronto ahead by one.

Waaka’s third penalty put the Free Jacks back in front just ahead of the hydration break. A series of penalties conceded after saw them pinned in their own end. Toronto couldn’t capitalise, however, and a Joe Johnston turnover left the score 9-7 to New England at halftime.

The first scoring opportunity of the second half came from a Harrison Boyle grubber that rolled almost to the goal line. Waaka was there first but knocked-on in an attempt to ground the ball. At the other end a Ben LeSage line break won field position but Will Kelly’s subsequent penalty kick rang off the upright.

New England would score again at the hour mark. A handling error from the Arrows turned over possession, and the Free Jacks put the pressure on. After numerous phases Josh Larsen drove in under the defense for the try. The conversion attempt from Waaka hit the post to leave the score 14-7.

Toronto stormed back into the game with a try of their own. Successive offloads from Tayler Adams, Patrick Parfrey, and finally LeSage found Joaquín Tuculet in space. The Argentine fullback stepped and fended his way past two defenders to score in the corner. Adams couldn’t find the target to leave them two points short.

There was controversy at the end of the match. What looked to be the winning try from Tomás de la Vega was called back for a penalty that wasn’t immediately clear. The Free Jacks would hold possession for the final seconds before kicking the ball dead.

Both teams will play home games next Sunday. The Arrows host the San Diego Legion at Lupo Family Field in Marietta. Old Glory DC square off against the Free Jacks at Union Point Stadium later in the day.

SCORING

NEW ENGLAND 14
Tries – J. Larsen (60’)
Cons – B. Waaka 0/1
Pens – B. Waaka 3/3 (9’, 11’, 19’)

TORONTO 12
Tries – A. Wadden (12’), J. Tuculet (65’)
Cons – W. Kelly 1/1 (13’), T. Adams 0/1
Pens – W. Kelly 0/1

TEAMS

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Quentin Newcomer, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Tera Mtembu (16 Vili Toluta’u 57′), 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Harry Barlow (23 Ewan Brumwell 69′), 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau (22 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre 74′), 14 Beaudein Waaka, 15 Dougie Fife

Not used: 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Spencer Krueger, 19 Evan Geist, 20 Matt Wirken, 21 Tom Brusati

TORONTO ARROWS
1 Pat Lynott (17 Cole Keith 54’), 2 Andrew Quattrin (16 Jack McRogers 57’), 3 Tyler Rowland (18 Marc-Antoine Ouellet 76’), 4 Adrian Wadden (20 Mike Sheppard 56′), 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Lucas Rumball (co-capt.), 8 Manuel Diana (19 Kolby Francis 76′), 9 Ross Braude (21 Andrew Ferguson 66′), 10 Will Kelly (23 Tayler Adams 56′), 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Ben LeSage (co-capt.), 14 Manuel Montero (22 Joaquín Tuculet 52′), 15 Patrick Parfrey

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Pearce Mara (USA)