Fight shows Brooklyn they’re still King
Week 3 / Season IV of the USA Rugby League offered us a closer look into which teams will lead the charge into the second half of the season.
DC Slayers vs Northern Virginia Eagles DC Slayers are celebrating a double win over local rivals the Northern Virginia Eagles who were put to the sword for a second time away from home by a score of 46 - 24. The Slayers remain undefeated on 6pts (six) and sit alone in first place of the North Atlantic division. Next week the Slayers enjoy another game on home soil before taking an extended break thanks to their turn for the bye and the July 4 break.
FINAL SCORE: D.C. Slayers (46) vs vs Northern Virginia Eagles (24)
Boston 13s vs Rhode Island Rebellion Taking on the Slayers will be a much improved Boston 13s who showed no mercy against an undisciplined Rhode Island Rebellion downing them 68 - 18. Boston’s ranks improved throughout the week with the addition of their imports direct from the Newcastle, NSW Country League in Australia. Boston controlled the game from the outset going into halftime with a score of 34-0. Rhode Island Rebellion struggled with a number of penalties that lead to one played being Red Carded for decent and putting them down a man for the remainder of the game.
FINAL SCORE: Boston Thirteens (68) vs Rhode Island Rebellion (18)
Philadelphia Fight vs Brooklyn Kings Saturday evening in Conshohocken, Philadelphia provided a slight chill that created a perfect setting for a much anticipated clash between these two heavyweights. The Kings were freshly celebrating a win of the Boston 13s and remain undefeated in their first season as a club. The Kings ranks have also been bolstered by former AMNRL players in Curtis Kunz and Matt Walsh who joined the Kings after registering with the USARL prior to playing in week 2.
The Kings came out firing and played a physical game for much of the first half. 10 minutes in and they were rewarded for their efforts getting first points on the board with a try out wide. Philadelphia quickly regained their composure and forced Brooklyn to pile on the tacklers with some damaging runs up the middle. 2 converted tries to the Fight saw them take the lead at the end of the first quarter 12-4. From there, Philadelphia controlled the majority of the match with a tired Brooklyn slipping off tackles allowing the Fight to land a few more deadly blows. Best for the Fight was Rhys Bowdich who roamed freely out wide and scored two tries with some dazzling footwork.
FINAL SCORE: Philadelphia Fight (40) vs Brooklyn Kings (12)
In the South, Central Florida Warriors escape with a narrow win of Tampa Mayhem (30 - 22) and Jacksonville Axemen defeat the Atlanta Rhinos in their first home game in Atlanta (34 - 10). Central Florida and Jacksonville remain undefeated heading into this weeks clash between the teams. Jacksonville will enjoy their first home game of the season and expect a big crowd to welcome them against their new found rivals.
FINAL SCORE: Atlanta Rhinos (10) vs Jacksonville Axemen (34) AND Tampa Mayhem (22) vs Central Florida Warriors (30)