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Dallas will move into next week with a winning record for the first time in their club’s history. The Jackals overcame a 16-point deficit to claim an upset 32-29 win over RFC Los Angeles on Sunday, taking full advantage of poor discipline that saw four yellow cards brandished to the blue jerseys who were making their West Coast debut after relocating from Atlanta.
An early gamble from LA paid dividends. Dan Hollinshead spurned an easy kick at goal in favor of the corner, and a wide pass from Rory van Vugt gave Andrew Coe just enough room to sneak into the right corner for the opening try just two minutes into the game.
It didn’t take long for a reply from the visitors. Slick interplay between backs and forwards freed Tomás Malanos down the sideline, resulting in a routine penalty goal for Martín Elías.
The home side continued to find success by attacking the wide channels. Coe found Michael Amiras loitering with intent on the wing and the big flanker burst over halfway. His pass was deflected but it was Coe in support to clean up and return the favor to van Vugt, the fullback showing the defense a clean pair of heels for his team’s second try.
By contrast it was the forwards who were making progress for the visitors. Just a LA had earlier, Dallas eschewed three points for a kick to the corner. Three of the backs piled in on the lineout drive and there was no stopping Dewald Kotze from falling over the line for five points. The conversion was sweetly struck by Elias and closed the gap to just two points at the first hydration break.
Two former New York teammates combined for LA’s third try. It was Coe yet again in the thick of it, with Jason Emery firing a cross-kick on advantage that landed perfectly in Coe’s fingertips. The Dallas defense could only admire the skill and execution, and another seven points went on the board after Hollinshead expertly added the extras.
Los Angeles looked to be pulling away when their fourth try came soon after. A knock-on had prevented a score just moments earlier, but the drive came on at the ensuing scrum and Jason Damm tore off the back. Despite the attention of three Dallas defenders the USA international somehow wrestled his way to the line to secure a bonus point.
The Jackals were now staring at a 16-point deficit and Pedro Imhoff was forced off, replaced at scrumhalf by Brock Gallagher. Hollinshead attempted a long-range kick at goal but his radar was off. Dallas regained possession and put LA under pressure, and multiple penalties resulted in a yellow card to Ben Strang. A minute later he was joined in the bin by Alex Maughan who was singled out for cynical play. With two forwards off the pitch a try seemed inevitable and indeed it was with Kotze getting credit for his double. The kick from Elías closed the halftime lead to 26-17.
Not five minutes into the second half and the Jackals were right on LA’s tail. The forwards set up for another drive but this time it was stopped just short. Gallagher spotted an open lane on the short side and fired a flat pass to Mitch Richardson, who dove over for a third Dallas try.
Hollinshead fired over three points to give his team a little more breathing room, but it was only a temporary reprieve. Bruce Kauika-Petersen was binned for illegal entry at the maul, and as LA defended bravely Matt Heaton was next to go for a trip. Before Kauika-Petersen could return Dallas had driven over again and Kotze had his hat trick. The kick from Elías drew the scores level, and the flyhalf landed a snap drop goal on advantage in the 79th minute to cinch the victory.
Both teams return to action next Sunday. Dallas will open their home account against the San Diego Legion, with LA staying put to host the Houston SaberCats.
| SCORING |
LOS ANGELES 29
Tries (4) – A. Coe 2 (2′, 27′), R. van Vugt (11′), J. Damm (32′)
Cons (3) – D. Hollinshead 3/4 (12′, 28′, 33′)
Pens (1) – D. Hollinshead 1/2 (57′)
YC (4) – B. Strang (40’+1′), A. Maughan (40’+2′), B. Kauika-Petersen (63′), M. Heaton (71′)
DALLAS 32
Tries (4) – D. Kotze 3 (19′, 40’+3′, 72′), M. Richardson (44′)
Cons (3) – M. Elías 3/4 (20′, 40’+4′, 73′)
Pens (1) – M. Elías 1/1 (7′)
DG (1) – M. Elias 1/1 (79′)
| LINEUPS |
RFC LOS ANGELES
1 Dane Zander, 2 Ben Strang (16 Bruce Kauika-Petersen 50′), 3 Alex Maughan (18 Conor Young 50′), 4 Jurie van Vuuren (16 Bruce Kauika-Petersen 42′-50′), 5 Max Katjijeko, 6 Michael Amiras (19 Semi Kunatani 60′), 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Jason Damm (2 Ben Strang 64′), 9 Niall Saunders (capt.) (21 Tas Smith 76′), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Jack Shaw (18 Conor Young 42′-50′) (22 Sam Walsh 76′), 12 Jason Emery, 13 James Stokes, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Rory van Vugt
Not used: 17 Lincoln Si’i, 20 Bruce Yun, 23 Austin White
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Nicolás Revol (16 Liam Murray HT), 2 Dewald Kotze (17 Tomás Bekerman 73′), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (18 Kyle Steeves 66′), 4 Sam Golla (co-capt.), 5 Lucas Bur, 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara (co-capt.), 7 Marques Fuala’au (19 Daemon Torres HT), 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Pedro Imhoff (21 Brock Gallagher 33′), 10 Martín Elías, 11 Nic Benn (23 Joeli Tikoisuva 60′), 12 Manuel Covella, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Tomás Malanos, 15 Nazareno Valentini
Not used: 20 Cam Nelson, 22 Ronnie McElligott
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, March 3
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson
Kickoff: 19:45 local
Weather: clear, 55°F (13°C), wind W 17-26mph (28-42km/h)
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: Saro Turner (Canada)
