MLR NOLA Gold

Gold Hit the Road for the First Time this Season to Take on Rugby ATL

April 21, 2021 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
NOLA Gold News Release


NOLA Gold celebrate
NOLA Gold celebrate
(NOLA Gold)

NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Saturday, April 17, the NOLA Gold beat the New England Free Jacks 29-30 amidst muddy conditions at the Gold Mine. After a week of nearly non-stop rain in New Orleans, the pitch was slippery and scattered with puddles, yet both teams came out firing on all cylinders with no clear winner until the closing seconds of the game.

The Gold got on the scoreboard first, with a deep penalty kick from Carl Meyer (13'), and then scored again, after a hard-fought maul turned into a try for Tesimoni Tongauiha (20'). After a missed conversion from Carl Meyer, the Gold led 8-0.

New England's Mitch Wilson snuck into the try zone several minutes later (24'), however, the weather proved to be an issue for everyone, as Beaudein Waaka's conversion drifted right, bouncing off the post and missing.

Once again, momentum shifted as Carl Meyer drilled another penalty kick for the Gold (27')-this time all the way from the halfway line.

After a line-out deep in Gold territory, and several rapid passes, Dougie Fife broke through the defense, scoring another try for the Free Jacks (31'). This time, Waaka converted and the Free Jacks took the lead 11-12.

Minutes later, as the Gold attacked, the Free Jacks were called for a high tackle, but the advantage was called, and the game went on. Julian Dominguez made seized the opportunity, breaking free from a tackle and barreling down the wing to score a dramatic, sliding, try through the mud.

Meyer converted the kick, and the Gold was back in the lead at halftime (18-12).

In the second half, the pendulum swing continued. New England got on the board first with a try from John Poland (43') reclaiming the lead, but the Gold fired right back as J.P Duplessis found the corner of the try zone (46')

For the fifth time in the game, and the third time in the half, the lead changed again as New England's Dougie Fife found the try zone for a second time (65'), giving the Free Jacks a 24-23 lead.

Refusing to let off the gas, New Orleans continued to apply pressure. Cam Dolan broke through the defense, finding himself stopped short right in front of the try zone. Quickly, John Sullivan picked up the ball and scored a try under the goalposts-7 points after the MLR's 2021 rule change.

With just minutes left in the game, Free Jack's winger Harry Barlow broke through the defense to score a try. The score was 29-30 NOLA.

Beaudein Waaka lined up for the Free Jacks conversion, with a chance to win the game for his team.

Gold fans roared as precious seconds ticked off the clock.

Waaka's kick flew wide and the referee's whistle blew-the stadium erupted.




Images from this story

NOLA Gold warm up
NOLA Gold warm up
 NOLA Gold (right) take on the New England Free Jacks
NOLA Gold (right) take on the New England Free Jacks
 NOLA Gold celebrate
NOLA Gold celebrate



Major League Rugby Stories from April 21, 2021


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