The Free Jacks will play for a third consecutive Major League Rugby title after a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Hounds at Fort Quincy on Saturday afternoon. Chicago dominated the opening half and early in the second half took a 17-nil lead, only to see the reigning champions score three second-half tries en route to a 21-20 result. A potential game-winning kick from Christopher Hilsenbeck rang off the upright with time expired much to the delight of the home faithful.

An early assault from the Hounds was repelled by New England but there would be no let-up. The Free Jacks ran into a green wall and the visitors came straight back. Ollie Devoto broke through in the midfield and when the ball was recycled, a wide ball found Tim Swiel in space and the fullback rolled out of the tackle of his opposite to score the opening try.

Moments after the restart Bryce Campbell latched on to a loose pass and looked for all money to be in under the posts, only for Paula Balekana to arrive out of nowhere and force a knock-on before Campbell could ground the ball. Chicago were left disappointed but continued to apply pressure and an off-the-ball tackle gave Hilsenback a shot at the posts, which he duly obliged. The 10-nil score would hold to halftime leaving only frustration on the faces of the Free Jacks as they trotted off the pitch.

When the game resumed New England’s woes continued with a poor lineout and more discipline problems, and it wasn’t long before the Hounds were again knocking on the door. Maclean Jones broke loose near halfway to pin the Free Jacks back on their goal line and Hilsenbeck spotted a wide open Noah Brown on the right side. His cross-kick found the target and the conversion sailed through to make it 17 unanswered points.

New England summoned reinforcements and were given a boost of energy when Jed Melvin won a breakdown penalty on his side of halfway. Balekana came off his wing and drove up the middle of the pitch, and the forwards did the rest. It was appropriately Melvin himself who crashes over for the try, leaving Dan Hollinshead an easy kick to finally get the home side on the board.

Another moment of inspiration came from Balakena, this time tearing down the left sideline. His chip kick ahead was sensationally fielded – and cleared safely to touch – by Charlie Abel. The Hounds weren’t out of danger, however, and the Free Jacks lifted the tempo. Phase after phase they pushed ahead until at last Cam Nordli-Kelemeti found a half-gap and sniped through for a try, the extras from Hollinshead closing the gap to three points.

Hilsenbeck would break up the momentum with a three-pointer immediately after the restart, but a second shot at the posts soon after went begging. The two sides battled with New England inching closer until the Hounds were again stuck deep in their own end. After countless attempts to break through, Kyle Ciquera spun through a tackle and had just enough length to ground the ball under the posts for an automatic seven points that put the Free Jacks ahead with two minutes left on the clock.

The restart went to New England and they were intent to grind down the remaining seconds on the clock. It was sloppy work, however, and the ball was turned over near the sideline. Chicago countered and an outside break led to a penalty opportunity with the clock now in the red. Hilsenbeck stepped up to kick with the game on the line but his strike hit the outside of the post and the Hounds were left in stunned silence as the final whistle sounded.

Rhode Island will host next Saturday’s final at the brand new Centreville Bank Stadium, just an hour’s drive from New England’s home turf. Their opponent will be determined in Utah on Saturday night, where the Warriors host the Houston SaberCats for the right to wrestle the Free Jacks for the MLR Shield.

 

SCORING


NEW ENGLAND 21
Tries (3) – J. Melvin (53′), C. Nordli-Kelemeti (59′), K. Ciquera (78′)
Cons (3) – D. Hollinshead 2/2 (54′, 60′), No kick (78′)


CHICAGO 20
Tries (2) – T. Swiel (12′), N. Brown (44′)
Cons (2) – C. Hilsenbeck 2/2 (13′, 45′)
Pens (2) – C. Hilsenbeck 2/4 (18′, 62′)

LINEUPS


NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
 1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai (17 Kyle Ciquera 50′), 2 Andrew Quattrin (16 Foster DeWitt HT), 3 Jone Koroiduadua (18 Kaleb Geiger 50′), 4 Piers von Dadelszen, 5 Sam Caird (19 Josh Larsen 69′), 6 Jed Melvin, 7 Joe Johnston (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 Cam Nordli-Kelemeti (21 Oscar Lennon 70′), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan (23 Harrison Boyle 54′-65′), 13 Ben LeSage (22 Wayne van der Bank 24′), 14 Simon-Peter Toleafoa, 15 Brock Webster

Not used: 20 Ethan Fryer


CHICAGO HOUNDS
 1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Liam Fletcher 46′), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (16 Janus Venter 62′), 3 Charlie Abel (18 Ignacio Péculo 60′), 4 James Scott, 5 Hamish Bain (20 Matthew Oworu 54′), 6 Mason Flesch (19 Luke White 62′), 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Jason Higgins (21 Michael Baska 62′), 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Peyton Wall (23 Mark O’Keeffe 60′), 12 Ollie Devoto, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Noah Brown, 15 Tim Swiel

Not used: 22 Adriaan Carelse

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, June 21
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Kickoff: 13:00 local
Weather: sunny, 82°F (28°C), wind NW 7-11mph (11-18km/h)

OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Cam Russell (Canada)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)

The post Free Jacks back to the Final with comeback win over Hounds appeared first on Americas Rugby News.