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The Free Jacks survived a second half surge from Rugby New York to take a narrow 29-26 win at JFK Stadium on Sunday. It stretches New England’s lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table and also extends their winning streak to seven games.
New York scored the first try in spectacular fashion. Jason Emery poked a grubber in behind the defense that bounced up perfectly for Brendon O’Connor. The flanker found Ed Fidow on his left, and the Samoan international left Mitch Wilson before stepping past Beaudein Waaka to score. Jack Heighton was on target with the conversion.
Waaka got New England on the board with a penalty goal. Another scoring opportunity presented itself after a stunning kick from Jesse Parete from his own end bounced into touch deep inside New York territory. The lineout didn’t go to plan, however, and New York cleared their lines.
The Free Jacks would take the lead on a high ball from Waaka. Ishmail Shabazz couldn’t get a read on it in the sun, and Harrison Boyle snatched the ball from the air. He quickly offloaded to a waiting Paula Balekana who sped free to the corner. Waaka’s kick from a wide angle found its mark.
It was Waaka himself who played magician next. Andy Ellis prevented a quick tap inside the 5-meter line and with advantage, the Free Jacks flyhalf chipped ahead and regathered in-goal for the try. Ellis was sent to the bin for his professional foul as Waaka added the extra two.
New England would strike first in the second half. From an attacking scrum John Poland broke to the left on a dummy line that worked a charm, as Wian Conradie tore off the back and had the strength to reach the line despite the attention of two defenders. Waaka’s conversion made it 24-7 to the visitors.
The home side needed an immediate response and they got one. After pushing into Free Jacks territory Sam Windsor made ground on the short side. Brendon O’Connor took it on further and Nick Civetta was there to take the pop-pass off the deck and fall over the line for the try.
Civetta played a key role in the next score, keeping ball alive after Dylan Fawsitt broke free up the middle. Chance Wenglewski was there in close support and after being initially felled short of the line, he regained his feet and grounded the ball. Heighton’s third conversion brought New York to within three points.
A mistake from Waaka cost New England early. His high ball attempt sliced off the side of his boot and instead landed in Fawsitt’s hands. It was quickly recycled and Emery repeated his earlier heroics with another textbook grubber, this time bouncing up for Fidow to score his double.
With time winding down the Free Jacks struck on a counter-attack. Waaka found Wilson on his inside, who cut through the line and found Poland on his right. Le Roux Malan was in space out wide and he had just enough room to dot down in the corner.
The home side would have one last chance to grab victory. New England attempted to grind out the last 90 seconds but turned over possession deep in their end. New York pressed to within a couple meters of the line, but the ball squirted free from the ruck and Poland hammered it off the pitch.
Both teams will play home games next weekend. New England welcome the Utah Warriors to Quincy on Saturday, while New York will square off against NOLA Gold on Sunday.
SCORING
NEW YORK 26
Tries – E. Fidow 2 (7’, 62′), N. Civetta (51′), C. Wenglewski (60′)
Cons – J. Heighton 3/4 (8’, 52′, 61′)
YC – A. Ellis (35′)
NEW ENGLAND 29
Tries – P. Balekana (31′), B. Waaka (35′), W. Conradie (49′), L. Malan (77′)
Cons – B. Waaka 3/4 (32′, 36′, 50′)
Pens – B. Waaka 1/1 (18′)
TEAMS
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Nic Mayhew (17 Chance Wenglewski 53′), 2 Kaleb Geiger (16 Dylan Fawsitt HT), 3 Kalolo Tuiloma (18 Zak Taulafo 65′), 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Charlie Hewitt (19 Nick Civetta 57′), 6 Benjamin Bonasso, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Jack Heighton, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Jason Emery, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Ishmail Shabazz (23 Quinn Ngawati HT), 15 Troy Lockyear (22 Sam Windsor 47′)
Not used: 20 Jonathan Grzeszczyk, 21 Connor Buckley
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera (17 Alex Johnston 63′), 2 Pieter Jansen (16 Mills Sanerivi 61′), 3 Erich de Jager (18 Spencer Krueger 63′), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven (19 Reegan O’Gorman 27′-30′, 63′), 6 Jesse Parete (23 Cam Davidowicz 63′), 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Wian Conradie (20 Joe Johnston 61′), 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Harrison Boyle (22 Isaac Olson 71′)
Not used: 21 Ewan Brumwell
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: Miles McIvor (USA)
