QUINCY – Champions don’t let go without a fight.

The two-time defending Major League Rugby champion New England Free Jacks hosted the Chicago Hounds Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium needing a win to advance to the final.

And it looked like a chance to earn MLR’s first three-peat was a lost cause as the Jacks fell behind 17-0 54 minutes into the match. Instead, the Jacks stunned Chicago 21-20 to advance to the title match in Pawtucket, RI, next Saturday.

The comeback began with back-to-back tries by Jed Melvin and Cam Nordli-Kelemeti. Kyle Ciquera scored at the 78 minute mark and Chicago’s Christopher Hilsenbeck knocked a penalty goal off the left upright past 80 minutes that the Free Jacks pushed out to touch to seal the win.

With the win, the Free Jacks earned their third straight to the MLR Final and will play the winner of the match between the Utah Warriors and Houston Sabercats.