Arrows upset Free Jacks to end record win streak

The Toronto Arrows upset the league-leading Free Jacks with a 33-18 win at York Lions Stadium on Thursday night. New England’s record-setting 10-game winning streak was brought to a screeching halt, with the visitors looking lethargic against an inspired home side.

It was all Free Jacks in the early goings. John Poland landed a penalty goal just two minutes in. The pressure stayed on and when a driving maul was stopped short, Mills Sanerivi picked and drive over for the first try. Poland missed the conversion but knocked over a second penalty to make it 11-nil.

The tide then turned towards the Arrows, who finally got possession in Free Jacks territory. After several phases they got to within 5 meters of the line, where Andrew Quattrin spotted a gap on the edge of a ruck and slipped past two defenders to score. Sam Malcolm chipped over the extras for the full seven.

Quattrin was then vilified by the TMO, who determined a yellow card was appropriate for a debatable chop tackle. To their credit the Arrows shrugged off the call and earned two shots at goal while shorthanded. Malcolm’s radar was spot-on and suddenly the home side were ahead.

A scrum penalty handed Malcolm another chance for three and once again he delivered to give his team a 16-11 advantage. New England made a late push for a score but a knock-on turned over possession and the Arrows took their lead to halftime.

Mills Sanerivi was dispatched to the bin for a high shot on Gastón Mieres early in the second half. From the ensuing lineout the ball was overthrown, but Guiseppe du Toit was on hand to regather and race through a gap to touch down between the posts for a seven-pointer.

Mieres went off for an HIA but soon returned and would make his mark on the scoresheet. The Arrows won a kickable penalty but opted instead for the corner. After attacking the middle, the ball was flung wide left and Mieres’ arms were just long enough to ground the ball. Malcolm couldn’t convert but it was now 28 unanswered points to the home side.

New England at last found some energy on the other side of they hydration break. They went through several phases to come within a couple meters of the line, and Quentin Newcomer had the strength to burrow over for the try. Mitch Wilson made it a 10-point game with the conversion.

The last say would go to the Arrows. An attacking scrum was on the ascendency and with advantage, Ross Braude broke to the right. He found Matthew Hood at pace and the Australian mimicked the efforts of Mieres with an acrobatic finish to score the bonus point try.

Toronto awaits the results of Sunday’s game between New York and ATL. Should the Ratlers lose, it would set up an enormous clash against the Arrows in Atlanta next Saturday. On the same day the Free Jacks will look to earn their record 13th win of the season at home against NOLA.

 

SCORING

TORONTO 33
Tries – A. Quattrin (16′), G. du Toit (45′), G. Mieres (56′), M. Hood (73′)
Cons – S. Malcolm 1/3 (17′), No kick (45′)
Pens – S. Malcolm 3/3 (25′, 29′, 35′)
YC – A. Quattrin (19′)

NEW ENGLAND 18
Tries – M. Sanerivi (8′), Q. Newcomer (63′)
Cons – J. Poland 0/1, M. Wilson 1/1 (64′)
Pens – J. Poland 2/2 (2′, 12′)
YC – M. Sanerivi (45′)

 

TEAMS

TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith (17 Lolani Faleiva 49′), 2 Andrew Quattrin (16 Jack McRogers 60′), 3 Isaac Salmon (18 Tyler Rowland 60′), 4 Adrian Wadden (16 Jack McRogers 20′-29′), 5 Mike Sheppard (capt.) (19 Paul Ciulini 65′), 6 Kyle Baillie (20 Marcello Wainwright 60′), 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Ross Braude (21 Sam Reimer 74′), 10 Sam Malcolm (22 Will Kelly 75′), 11 Johnny Sheridan (23 Mitch Voralek 75′), 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Ueta Tufuga, 14 Matthew Hood, 15 Gastón Mieres (23 Mitch Voralek 45′-51′)

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera (17 Quentin Newcomer 45′), 2 Mills Sanerivi (16 Foster DeWitt 55′), 3 Tevita Sole (18 Erich de Jager 45′), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven (20 Justin Johnson 55′), 6 Cam Davidowicz (16 Foster DeWitt 48′-55′) (19 Terrell Peita 55′), 7 Joe Johnston (23 Ethan Fryer 72′), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland (21 Holden Yungert 51′), 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Jack Reeves (22 Isaac Olson 60′), 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Dougie Fife

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Chris Micheletti (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)