Atlanta punches ticket to Jacksonville after back to back wins over Tampa

Source: Brian Cole | Rugby Wrap-up

The Rhinos defeated the Mayhem 26-16 Saturday, 06 August, on the grounds of Tampa Catholic High School.  Atlanta’s win comes one week after the team defeated Tampa 40-30.

The Atlanta Rhinos had arguably upset the favored Tampa Mayhem on the previous Saturday.  The Mayhem was considered the second best team in the SC USARL, and had defeated the Rhinos in Atlanta 56-30 on 25 June.  However, Atlanta’s win over Tampa Saturday marked the second weekend in a row the Rhinos defeated the Mayhem by ten, rendering any assertion that last week’s outcome was simply an aberration invalid.

Clubs keep the game close through the first half

Both clubs kept Saturday’s game close through the first half.  Tampa scored and converted a try 11 minutes into the game, taking a 6-0 lead over Atlanta.  However, 21 minutes into the game, the Rhinos responded with an unconverted try to cuts the Mayhem’s advantage to two points.  Six minutes later, Atlanta struck again, scoring another try (no conversion), to take an 8-6 lead over Tampa.  Just before halftime, the Mayhem earned one more unconverted try, bringing the halftime score to Tampa 10 – Atlanta 8.

Rhinos outscore Mayhem 18-6 in second half to secure an Atlanta win

Even though Tampa took ownership of the ball at the beginning of the second half, the Mayhem were unable to take advantage of its possession.  Atlanta quickly got the ball back, and scored a try and conversion to take a 14-10 lead over Tampa five minutes into the second half.

With 18 minutes left in the game, the Rhinos earned another converted try to extend their lead over the Rhinos to ten.  Nine minutes later, Atlanta scored and converted another try to take a formidable 26-10 lead.  Tampa finally responded with a try of its own with seven minutes left in the contest, bringing the score back within ten.

However, the Mayhem missed out on opportunities in the closing minutes of the game that could have given Tampa a chance to come back and win.  The Mayhem vs. Rhinos rematch in the first round of the playoffs ended with the score Atlanta 26 – Tampa 16.

Atlanta play Jacksonville next Saturday August 13th in Jacksonville.