Round 6 where the Battles Begin

With three rounds to go, the Rhode Island Rebellion (3-2: 6pts), DC Slayers (2-3: 4pts) and Boston 13s (3-2: 4pts) all face similar challenges in their quest to the Championship Final in Philadelphia on August 24.  All three teams are scheduled to play the Fight, Axemen and Blues and it’s likely the finals format won’t be determined until the final whistle blowsin  Round 8.

Predictions as follows:

3rd - Rhode Island Rebellion (4-4: 8pts)
The Rebellion are a different team from years past and are benefiting from a healthy mix of new imports plus some excellent ground work that has built this team into a well established community outfit.  Few are expecting them to beat Philadelphia on the road but their real test will come against the Axemen in Round 7 when Jacksonville travel north with their mind already set on the finals.  If they can upset one of these giants then Rebellion will remain untouchable in 3rd place and likely heading to Jacksonville in the semis.

4th - DC Slayers (3-5: 6pts)
Both of the Slayers games (Fight and Axemen) are on the road and while an upset is always on the cards, it’s a challenge they could do without.  A victory in either one would help their cause but it won’t change their position on the ladder thanks to a narrow loss against the Rebellion in Round 3.  With only two wins against a struggling Blues team, the Slayers are benefiting from a strong for and against points differential thanks to some close games against the pack leaders.  If the Slayers win their three remaining games then either the Fight or Axemen will be looking to dodge them in the playoffs.  Their first test starts this weekend in Jacksonville where a massive Axemen crowd will see them breathing fire or sending smoke signals for reinforcements.

5th - Boston 13s (3-5: 6pts)
By all expectations, this has been a tough year for last years Championship Finalists.  Owner and founding member Mik Shammas left the team abruptly and returned to home country Lebanon leaving a small group with massive shoes to fill only months out from the season starting.  These boys are learning the hard way that running a Rugby League club is a lonely path that requires blood, sweat and tears before you even take the pitch.  All is not lost and the 13s are slowly turning things around but like so many, their efforts will be measured by results on the scoreboard where they may not have the depth to get the job done.  While fortunate to have both the Axemen and Fight playing at home, Boston may be happy to have 2013 behind them and will look to build from the ground up where success has an even sweeter taste to it.