Free Jacks end SaberCats unbeaten run in statement win

The Free Jacks underlined their championship credentials with a 47-35 victory over the SaberCats on Saturday night. Wayne van der Bank’s hat trick headlined a seven-try performance against the previously unbeaten Houston side on their home turf, sending a message to the rest of the league that the MLR Shield will not be easily wrestled from New England.

A mistake at the opening kickoff handed possession over to the SaberCats. Their scrum got the shove-on to win advantage, and AJ Alatimu orchestrated a well-rehearsed attacking move to send Christian Dyer into the corner. Davy Coetzer’s kick from the sideline rang first off the left upright and then the crossbar but the flags stayed down.

It didn’t take long for a reply from the home side. Wayne van der Bank’s outside break put the Free Jacks on Houston’s doorstep and a flat pass from Jayson Potroz found Malakai Hala-Ngatai at pace to barge over. Soon after Potroz kicked into space and while Andre Warner was there to just in time to regather, his offload attempt went to deck and Wian Conradie was there to snatch the ball up and fall over the line.

Just after the hydration break Coetzer landed a three-pointer after a scrum penalty. Potroz returned fire with interest, his left-footed grubber down the short side bouncing up perfectly for the flyhalf to collect and score. Moments after the restart Coetzer broke free and when van der Bank intervened from an offside position he was sent to the bin. Seconds later the ball went wide to Jeremy Misailegalu, the winger muscling his way through a tackle to ground the ball.

With New England still down a man Warner spotted an opportunity with a quick tap penalty. Louritz van der Schyff chipped ahead and it bounced in favor of Coetzer for a try in the corner. Just before halftime, however, van der Bank cut back inside on first phase off a lineout and beat three defenders to secure the bonus point and give the visitors a 28-18 lead at the break.

Two incisive runs from Reece MacDonald put the Free Jacks well ahead not long into the second half. The first put Paula Balekana one-on-one with Coetzer, the winger taking the outside and putting boot to ball for MacDonald to score himself. MacDonald then stepped past two players in his own end, sprinting over halfway before connecting with Cam Nordli-Kelemeti and Ben LeSage in support. One recycle later and van der Bank had his double, with the kick from Potroz making it 40-18 to New England.

Houston’s scrum was doing its part to keep the home side in the game. A set move from the middle of the field ended with Coetzer sliding through a tackle attempt to score his second try. Both teams then had would-be tries called back near the hour mark. Andrew Quattrin’s angled run was erased by a forward pass in the build-up, and Warner reached over the line on the edge of a ruck only for an obstruction at the preceding lineout to scrub the points from the board.

Coetzer created one that counted with a line break that set up Line Latu to finish in the left corner. Next it was the forwards who rolled up their sleeves and powered home at a driving maul, with Tiaan Erasmus getting the credit. Alatimu took over kicking duties from Coetzer and his conversion made it a five-point game with as many minutes to play.

That would be the end of the comeback, however. Tired defense left a gap on the post that was well-spotted by van der Bank. He stepped on the accelerator and weaved his way past the cover for his hat trick. The try sealed the win for the Free Jacks and denied Houston a losing bonus point.

New England return home to host the Seattle Seawolves next Saturday afternoon. On the same day the SaberCats will arrive on the East Coast to take on Old Glory DC at Maryland SoccerPlex.

SCORING

HOUSTON 35
Tries (6) – C. Dyer (4′), J. Misailegalu (25′), D. Coetzer 2 (33′, 59′), L. Latu (67′), T. Erasmus (74′)
Cons (1) – D. Coetzer 0/5, A. Alatimu 1/1 (75′)
Pens (1) – D. Coetzer 1/1 (21′)

NEW ENGLAND 47
Tries (7) – M. Hala-Ngatai (7′), W. Conradie (11′), J. Potroz (23′), van der Bank 3 (40′, 51′, 77′), R. MacDonald (48′)
Cons (6) – J. Potroz 6/7 (8′, 12′, 24′, 40’+1′, 52′, 78′)
YC (1) – W. van der Bank (25′)

LINEUPS

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth (17 LaRome White 52′), 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue (16 Tiaan Erasmus 50′), 3 Maks van Dyk (18 Pono Davis 49′), 4 Johan Momsen (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Emmanuel Albert (19 Keni Nasoqeqe 24′), 8 Tomi Agbongbon (20 Ronan Murphy 59′), 9 Andre Warner (21 Carlo de Nysschen 72′), 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Jeremy Misailegalu (23 Line Latu 50′), 12 Dom Akina, 13 Louritz van der Schyff, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Davy Coetzer

Not used: 22 Max Schumacher

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai (17 Foster DeWitt 46′), 2 Sean Ralph (16 Andrew Quattrin 46′), 3 Cole Keith (18 Kaleb Geiger 46′), 4 Josh Larsen, 5 Conor Keys (19 Jackson Thiebes 67′), 6 Piers von Dadelszen (20 Seta Baker 59′), 7 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 Cam Nordli-Kelemeti (21 Holden Yungert 59′), 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan (22 Ben LeSage HT), 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson (23 Danyon Morgan-Puterangi 67′), 15 Reece MacDonald

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, April 13
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local
Weather: clear, 82°F (28°C), wind SE 17-25mph (27-40km/h)

OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Scott Green (USA) & Jono Cooper (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)

HIGHLIGHTS