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San Diego fans were treated to another impressive performance from the Legion, as they secured a 29-12 bonus-point win over the New England Free Jacks on Sunday. While the vaunted backline threatened, it was the defense of the home side that proved the difference in a physical contest.
The Legion set the tone in the early minutes with shuddering tackles from Sama Malolo and Isaac Ross. Their scrum also took the ascendancy, and a penalty earned an attacking lineout. New England slowed the maul but couldn’t stop Malolo as he broke from the back and powered over. Josh Henderson split the uprights to make it a full seven.
A first chance to score from the Free Jacks was spoiled by ill-discipline, and San Diego cleared their lines. At the other end Christian Poidevin nearly scored on a lineout move that caught New England by surprise. Henderson spotted Nate Augspurger in acres of space and the cross kick was on target.
New England would get back into scoring position when Joe Johnston ran back a loose clearance from Henderson with interest. Eventually they were awarded a 5-meter scrum in front of the posts. The front row sorted out their earlier problems and got the shove on. Wian Conradie couldn’t quite control the ball and it squirted free, but Johnston was there first to ground it in-goal.
An arm wrestle to start the second half eventually twisted in San Diego’s favor. Their first go at the line was stopped by a Sam Fischli turnover. An overthrow at the ensuing lineout gave the ball straight back, and Henderson dummied and stepped past some tight forwards to sprint free under the posts.
Discipline was suddenly a concern for San Diego. An offside on a kick chase cost them field position, and then Tupou Afungia was binned for a high tackle. The defense held strong, however, and once out of danger Henderson knocked over a penalty goal to make it 22-7 at the hour mark.
Another foray into San Diego territory was stopped by a Blair Cowan territory. Will Hooley attempted a long-range penalty goal but pushed it wide right. The Free Jacks finally got a score when Semisi Paea crossed in the corner after several phases.
Instead of the visitors hunting for a bonus point it was the home side. A driving maul was held up but another penalty gave the Legion another crack. Five minutes into stoppage time Hooley flung it wide left to Mikey Te’o, who in turn fed Augspurger for an acrobatic finish in the corner. Hooley’s kick from the sideline was inch-perfect to bring a close to proceedings.
The Free Jacks make the long trip home knowing they have a week off to work out the kinks before their home opener against Old Glory DC on March 11. For the Legion it’s the first road game of the year, against another unbeaten side – the Houston SaberCats – on Sunday.
SCORING
SAN DIEGO 29
Tries (4) – S. Malolo (12′), N. Augspurger 2 (27′, 80’+5′), J. Henderson (49′)
Cons (3) – J. Henderson 1/2 (13′), No kick (49′), W. Hooley 1/1 (80’+6′)
Pens (1) – J. Henderson 1/1 (60′), W. Hooley 0/1
YC (1) – T. Afungia (55′)
NEW ENGLAND 12
Tries (2) – J. Johnston (31′), S. Paea (76′)
Cons (1) – J. Potroz 1/1 (32′), R. MacDonald 0/1
TEAMS
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Djustice Sears-Duru 60′), 2 Sama Malolo (16 Shilo Klein 50′), 3 Nathan Sylvia (18 Chris Baumann 60′), 4 Ben Grant (19 Malakai Latu 73′), 5 Isaac Ross (20 Jale Railala 57′), 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tupou Afungia, 9 Richard Judd (21 Jason Higgins 67′), 10 Josh Henderson (22 Will Hooley 60′), 11 Tomas Aoake, 12 Ma’a Nonu (23 Ryan Matyas 67′), 13 Marcel Brache, 14 Nate Augspurger, 15 Mikey Te’o
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera (17 Foster DeWitt 50′-73′), 2 Mills Sanerivi (16 Andrew Quattrin 50′), 3 Cole Keith (18 Tevita Sole 50′), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Conor Keys, 6 Sam Fischli (19 Semisi Paea 50′), 7 Joe Johnston (20 Cam Davidowicz 65′), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland (21 Kieran McClea 50′), 10 Jayson Potroz (23 Reece MacDonald 70′), 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Spencer Jones (22 Ben LeSage 50′), 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Mitch Wilson
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Austin Reed (USA) & Alexis Alfaro (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
