[Quincy, Mass., April 11, 2026] – Old Glory secured its first win of the season in dramatic fashion Saturday evening, beating the New England Free Jacks 21-19 in a back-and-forth battle at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
From opening whistle, both sides struggled to settle in as early knock-ons and swirling wind conditions disrupted any attacking rhythm. A scrum finally steadied play around the six-
minute mark, but it was New England that struck first. After sustained pressure inside Old Glory territory, the Free Jacks broke through for a try, converting for a 7-0 lead.
Old Glory responded with resilience. Despite a near miss midway through the half, denied just short of the try line after a sharp break, the club found their breakthrough. Cory Daniel
powered over for the equalizing try and a successful conversion from Jason Robertson leveled the match at 7-7.
Momentum began to swing in Old Glory’s favor late in the first half, even after being reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for head contact. Capitalizing on space out wide, Daniel struck again in the 35th minute, finishing a clean break on the edge to give Old Glory a 14-7 advantage heading into halftime.
Old Glory’s defensive unit proved to be a defining factor throughout the contest, especially during high-pressure moments. Even when down a player and facing repeated attacking phases from New England, DC held its structure and composure, making crucial stops at the try line and forcing turnovers at key moments to keep momentum from fully swinging.
The second half opened with a jolt, as New England’s scrum-half Oscar Lennon dashed through the defense just seconds after kick-off, tying the game at 14-14 following the conversion. But Old Glory answered quickly. Scrum-half John LeFevre crossed the line for a crucial try, with Robertson adding the extras to restore a 21 -14 lead.
The Free Jacks refused to fade, narrowing the gap to 21-19 after a missed conversion and mounting relentless pressure in the closing stages. However, Old Glory’s defense help firm
under exhaustion, repeatedly denying potential scoring opportunities.
When the final whistle blew, Old Glory emerged victorious, securing a hard-fought 21-19 win, marking its first of the season.
Daniel’s two-try performance earned him Player of the Match honors, leading a determined Old Glory side that showcased both attacking precision and “never say die” defense.
Old Glory will look to carry that momentum into its next matchup on April 18 at 4 p.m. against Anthem RC.
By: Ellie Wileman