Free Jacks vs. Rugby United New York

The New England Free Jacks played their first exhibition season home match on December 1, 2018, against Rugby United New York at Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, Massachusetts. RUNY emerged with a 38-35 win in the closing minutes.

The exhibition match was played in four quarters with RUNY having a 7-0 lead at the end of quarter one and tied 14 all at halftime. The score was 28 all at the end of period 3 and RUNY slotted a penalty kick for a 38-35 win over the Free Jacks.

The Free Jacks controlled possession and territory for the beginning of the match, but a dynamic run by outside center Seimou Smith for a try. Cathal Marsh slotted the kick for a 7-0 RUNY lead.

The Free Jacks answered back with a try in the corner by inside center Peter Lupton. Tadhg Leader then converted to knot the match at 7 all.

RUNY advance the ball in-goal, but a player was held up. The team then attacked from a 5-meter scrum with Anthony Parry barreling over the line for a try. Marsh converted to give RUNY a 14-7 lead.

Just prior to halftime, Mike St. Claire was sent to the bin for team repeat infractions. The Free jacks attacked from a 5-meter lineout and Peter Lupton added his second try. Leader converted for a 14 all match at the break.

Three minutes into the third quarter, Matt Hughston went over the line at close range and Marsh added the conversion for a 21-14 RUNY lead. They pushed the lead to 28-14 after an intercept try by Quentin Pradere.

The Free jacks answered back with a try by Christain Adams and another in the corner from Danny Collins? At the end of quarter 3, the score was tied again at 28 all.

The Free Jacks had the next opportunity in the final quarter, but a player was held up in-goal. NY’s defense held and sustained a quick attack with Derek Lipscomb scoring in the corner. After Marsh continued his perfection with the boot, it was 35-28.

Marsh then attempted a clearance kick, but it was blocked and swung wide left with Ahmad Harajily scoring in the corner. Leader was also perfect with the boot, tying the match at 35 all.

In this seesaw battle, The Free Jacks were penalized and RUNY opted to kick with Marsh slotting the penalty and a 38-35 RUNY win.

Squads

New England Free Jacks: 1 Dave Mckenna 2 Diego Maquieira 3 Anthony Purpura (VC) 4 Ronan Mccusker 5 Jackson Thiebes 6 Owen Hundt 7 Jon Kokinda 8 Josh Brown 9 Erik Thompson 10 Tadhg Leader (C) 11 Chris Frazier 12 Peter Lupton 13 Ahmad Harajily 14 Steve Dazzo 15 Danny Collins Forwards Patrick Conway, Alex Czajkowski, Peter Haxton, Steven Hinshaw, Devin Ibanez, Dan Jones, Thor LaFromboise, Sean Moran, Mani Young Backs Christian Adams, Adnan Kawuma, Bryan Michel, Karl Rempe, Mike Rudzinsky, Chris Slater, Terrance Williams

Rugby United New York: 1 Anthony Parry 2 Mike Brown 3 Kirk Hamilton 4 Nate Brakeley 5 Myles McQuone 6 Alex MacDonald 7 Matt Hughston 8 Ross Deacon 9 Marcus Walsh 10 Cathal Marsh 11 Mike St. Claire 12 Chris Vakasisakakala 13 Seimou Smith 14 Alex Desouza 15 Connor Wallace-Sims Forwards: Paddy Ryan, Chris Sullivan, Matt Wirken, Gavan D’Amore-Morrison, Kyle Sumsion Backs: Mike Petri, Derek Lipscombe, Quentin Pradere (Replacements for RUNY are incomplete)