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A try from Pieter Jansen with just five minutes remaining propelled the New England Free Jacks to a 25-21 win over the Seawolves at Union Point Stadium on Sunday. Seattle proved worthy competitors and denied their hosts a try bonus which may prove costly to their playoff ambitions.
The opening try went to the visitors. From a scrum the Seawolves attacked wide where Akihito Yamada executed a picture-perfect scissor move with Lauina Futi, the winner slicing back across the grain for an automatic seven points.
Beaudein Waaka landed a penalty goal and then created a try to put New England ahead. Poasa Waqanibau made yards through traffic and Waaka’s cross-kick was spot on to a wide open Mitch Wilson, with the conversion also finding its mark.
Yamada made his presence known again, this time freeing Suliasi Tamaivena down the left sideline. The flying Fijian would be knocked into touch before scoring, but he would get his rewards soon after. An outside-in line caught the Free Jacks fringe defense unawares with AJ Alatimu converting Tamaivena’s try.
Early in the second half Harry Barlow made a break of his own that would result in a three-pointer from the boot of Waaka. Seattle replied with interest, however, as Ross Neal’s cut-out pass found Tamaivena in space with the winger turning the corner to for a seven pointer.
New England would score next from a training ground move. Dougie Fife crept into the line as a first receiving but he was only a decoy, with John Poland instead hitting Aleki Morris-Lome. The inside center spun it wide to Barlow for the finish. Waaka couldn’t land the extras from the sideline but the gap was down to three.
Barlow looked to have his second but was ruled ahead of a cheeky chip kick from Waaka. There would be no escape for Seattle, however, as the Free Jacks piled on the pressure. Vili Toluta’u came up just short against his former team but Jansen was there to dive over for the winning score.
The Seawolves head back home in search of inspiration for next Sunday’s tilt against the Austin Gilgronis. It’s a bye week for the Free Jacks, whose playoff hopes now rest on success against Eastern Conference rivals NOLA in Weymouth on June 26.
SCORING
NEW ENGLAND 25
Tries – M. Wilson (15’), H. Barlow (55’), P. Jansen (75’)
Cons – B. Waaka 2/3 (16’, 76’)
Pens – B. Waaka 2/2 (11’, 44’)
SEATTLE 21
Tries – L. Futi (3’), S. Tamaivena 2 (24’, 48’)
Cons – No kick 2 (3’, 48’), A. Alatimu 1/1 (25’)
TEAMS
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Sef Fa’agase (17 Quentin Newcomer 57′), 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager (18 Kyle Ciquera 79’), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Tera Mtembu (19 Vili Toluta’u 47’), 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie (20 Justin Johnson 73’), 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Mitch Wilson (23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre 73’), 15 Dougie Fife (22 Ewan Brumwell 61’)
Not used: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 21 Tom Brusati
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa (17 Djustice Sears-Duru 51′), 2 James Malcolm (16 Mike Shepherd 70′), 3 Tim Metcher (18 Jake Ilnicki HT), 4 Samu Manoa (19 Conor McGill HT), 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Brad Tucker (21 Tommy Clark 60′), 7 Naulia Dawai (20 Eric Duechle 63′), 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 Devereaux Ferris (22 Seta Tuilevuka 60′), 10 JP Smith, 11 Suliasi Tamaivena, 12 AJ Alatimu, 13 Ross Neal, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Akihito Yamada (23 Karsten Leitner 69’)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Pearce Mara (USA)
