Jackals Fight for the Comeback but Fall Short to NOLA GOLD

• Cael Hodgson, Shawn Clark, and Christian Adams make their MLR debut.
• Back Alejandro Torres scores two Tries. 
• Overall #1 2021 MLR Collegiate Draftee Eric Naposki continues his speed down the field with a Try.  

The Gold kicked off to start Week 6 of play at Choctaw Stadium. Early back and forth action between the two sides with the first points awarded to NOLA after a high tackle advantage on Jackals Number 8 Adriaan Booysen, 7-0 Gold. 

Shortly after theGold where close to the line again, but Center Alejandro Torres stole it away on a bounce. Newly traded from New England Cael Hodgson found some space, but with a kick to the the attack was halted by NOLA. 

Torres would later find field room again after Booysen grabbed it from NOLA. This starts a kicking contest back and forth. Fly Half Adriaan Carelse follows his kick down field putting pressure on causing a kick-on by NOLA leading to a Jackals scrum. Continuing to struggle in the scrum, scrum penalty is called on the Pack. 

The return from the first Hydration Break was a NOLA lineout outside the 22 with a walking maul that resulted in a Gold Try. A missed conversion kick leaves the score 12-0. More back and forth attacking and another ball pitch by Jackals Captain Chris Pennell leads to a line break by Conrado Roura who was taken down hard by the Gold. Roura would leave the game and be replaced by Shawn Clark. 

Gold would score again with 7 minutes until half, 17-0 Jackals. After an advantage is called back for a NOLA collapsed maul, Jackals lineout leads to several phases of pushing for the line. Scrum Half Tom Brusati finds Carelse to Eric Napoksi who sprints pack NOLA for a Jackals Try. From the corner, Carelse just misses right of the posts, 17-5 NOLA going to halftime. 

Jackals come out strong from half time, but NOLA grounds the ball first on the outside to make it 24-5. Fullback Chris Pennell finds the ball from a NOLA kick and takes it down field passing it to Hodgson to gain more ground. Momentum is halted by a NOLA penalty leading to Jackals lineout won by NOLA. 

A quick Jackals scrum at 56’ is worked by Brusati. A quick flick to Pennell with further field gained by Hodgson who fights his way through defenders. Flanker Shawn Clark keeps the attack going up field. The ball lands with Prop Alex Tucci who digs deep to take it to the line himself. Carelse’s kick is good, 24-12 Gold. 

Just for the 60’ Hydration Break, NOLA take it to the line again out of a Jackals scrum, 29-12. With NOLA with possession, Center Ned Hodson causes a midair turnover. The Jackals attack continues eventually leading to Hodson with a short kick forward which is picked up by Torres for a Jackals Try and a successful kick, 29-19. 

Continuing to fight, Jackals take advantage of a Gold scrum penalty. From the lineout, Jackals attack with Torres breaking the line and taking it to the ground for an automatic 7 diving Try, 29-26 Gold. 

After a short break by Bronson Teles, NOLA kept possession for much of the remaining 8 minutes of game play. The Gold finished out the match with a penalty kick for a 32-26 final score. 

Tries: Eric Naposki, Alex Tucci, Alejandro Torres (2)

Conversion Kicks: Adriaan Carelse 

Attendance: 2,162

Jackals take on Seattle Seawolves at Choctaw Stadium this weekend, Saturday, March 19th at 7pm CT. Get your tickets at dallasjackals.com today to support the Pack at home.

*Top Photo by Mark Fann with DFW Zone Media.