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New England Free Jacks finished the season top of the tree in the Eastern Conference. Miami Sharks came 4th but have recent form against their rivals today. Although this is knock out rugby now and a chance to progress to the Conference Final! The stands are packed and the sun is out, what a day for a Semi Final.
Balekana P. (1'), Quattrin A. (30'), Toleafoa S. (49'), Malan L. R. (78')
Tries
Myhill K. (58')
Hollinshead D. (31', 50'), Lennon O. (79')
Conversions
O'Leary S. (59')
Hollinshead D. (62', 66')
Penalties
O'Leary S. (8')
New England Free Jacks finished the season top of the tree in the Eastern Conference. Miami Sharks came 4th but have recent form against their rivals today. Although this is knock out rugby now and a chance to progress to the Conference Final! The stands are packed and the sun is out, what a day for a Semi Final.
New England did not come out the gates slowly, kick off hung up into the air long enough for it to be gathered by New England midway to the 22. Ball sprayed out wide from the breakdown, Ben Lasage hit a line off the shoulder of Ben Johnston. Straight through the gap, running down to the 22 where O’Leary was defending a 2 on 1. Balekana drifts towards the touchline giving Lasage a easy pass and within 20 seconds the Free Jacks had dotted down in the corner. Dan Hollinshead had a tough kick from the byline which he drifts wide of the far stick. 5 - 0 after a minute gone.
Miami tried to get a foothold in the game but mistakes and penalties either side made the next few minutes messy. Miami managed to force a breakdown penalty in the middle of the pitch between the 10 & 22. O’Leary opts for the tee and slots the penalty down the middle. 5 - 3 to New England still after 8 minutes.
New England thought they had scored a sublime chip and chase try in the 10th minute but it was chalked off for Balekana shoving O’Leary while not in possession. A let off for Miami and poor discipline by New England.
There was then another 20 minutes of scrappy play, where neither side could get on top. When they did get close, they gifted the ball back to the other side. Miami had a sustained period in the Free Jacks half but couldn’t the try or points they needed to get in front. New England managed to force enough errors out of Miami in the 30 th minute to get themselves a lineout on the Miami 5 metre line.
Lineout was up and maul set, New England got the shove one, turned the maul perfectly and Quattrin was able to flop down for the try. After a sustained period of Miami pressure, New England have gone back the full length of the pitch and scored a try in the corner. Hollinshead has a conversion from a similar spot as the earlier attempt, this time though he sneaks it inside the near post. 12 - 3 to the Free Jacks after 31 minutes.
The rest of the first half continued in the same vein with both sides making errors at the critical moment. New England will be happy to be ahead, but Miami will be wondering what could have been.
New England couldn’t start the second half in the same way as the first, the errors continued for both sides but Miami were the first to get the chance to add to the board. O’Leary grabbed the tee to take a penalty kick close to the New England 10 metre line after Miami won a breakdown penalty. He pulled it wide of the left upright though and the scores remain the same.
Hollinshead tries to kick for the corner from halfway after New England win a scrum penalty. He doesn’t get close but O’Leary drops the ball in the 5 metre area and gives New England a scrum at close range for the knock on. 48 minutes on the clock and Miami have to defend a scrum on their 5, New England pop the ball out quickly, Cam Noroli- Kemeti sneaks round the blind in the 5 metre channel with a short pop to Simon Toleafoa to dot down in the corner. Miami capitulate once again. Hollinshead has another tough kick for the far byline but tucks this down the middle of the sticks. 50 minutes on the clock and New England lead 19 - 3.
Miami have to go all in now if they have any hope left in this match. New England let Miami into their half and continue giving them metres with penalties. Miami have a lineout on the 5 metre line, maul used and it rumbles forward for what looks to be certain try but its stopped on the line. Penalty awarded at the initial maul though, so Miami get to go again. This maul is collapsed with Miami not able to get the ball over. Ref reaches to the pocket and sends Van Dadelszen for 10 minutes in the bin.
Miami get another chance to get them back in the game 57 minutes on the clock, the maul crawls forward then splinters away. Myhill manages to find the space to flop down for the first try Miami have scored in Quincy. O’Leary takes the conversion with ease. 59 minutes gone scores are 19 - 10 with New England down to 14. Is the comeback starting here?
Nope, Miami manage to hold New England at bay and force them into errors after the restart. However, they get dominated in the scrum again just inside their own 22. Hollinshead has a easy penalty kick to take in the 62nd Minute. 22 - 10 now, Miami have it all to do again.
New England manage to keep Miami in their own half after the restart. They push them back into their 22, ref puts his arm out for a penalty advantage to New England. Its free play time, Hollinshead drops into the pocket and goes for the drop goal. 66 minutes on the clock, 25 - 10 to the Free Jacks. As New England return to 15 players.
Miami keep trying to get on the front foot but they just can’t get teh final execution. New England stand strong but also make consistent errors when they could put teh game to bed. All hope for Miami is ended with 2 minutes to play. Miami try to play out from their 22 from a drop out. They try to play along the line but Le Roux Malan is able to intercept a O’Leary pass. Malan able to dot down under the sticks giving Hollinshead a easy conversion again. 32 - 10. 90 seconds of forwards keeping it up the jumper, then a scrum to finish up as the clock went red. Out the ball goes into the crowd. New England are through to the final!
