Jacksonville defeats Atlanta 38 to 28 to win 2016 SOUTH CONFERENCE Championship

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Source: Brian Cole | Rugby Wrap-up

With the Axemen’s win, Jacksonville improves to 8-0-0. Also, this qualifies the Axemen for their 6th national championship in the team’s 11 year history, after winning the USARL South Conference. As for now, they wait for the final playoff game on Saturday, 20 August, between Boston and Philly. The winner of this game determines who Jacksonville will play from the Northern Conference.

For Atlanta, their season ends 3-4-1. As a consolation, Atlanta’s record for its last four games in 2016 was 3-1. After starting 0-3-1, the Rhinos undertook a remarkable turnaround. Also, the Rhinos scored 28 unanswered points on the unbeaten Axemen, a feat no other team could accomplish through the 2016 SC USARL.

Jacksonville jumps out to big lead, but Atlanta starts catching up

Approximately ten minutes into the game, Jacksonville Axemen’s Coach Ben Nicoll scored their first try, converted by Diggins to take a 6-0 lead over the Atlanta Rhinos. Around the 18-minute mark, the Axemen’s Eichner secured another try. Followed by another Diggins conversion Jacksonville took a 12-0 lead over Atlanta.

About 24 minutes into the game, Jacksonville Axeman O’Hara earned an unconverted try to take a 16-0 lead over Atlanta. With around ten minutes left in the first half, the Axemen’s Thomas tacked on another unconverted try to build their lead over to 20-0.

However, the Rhinos soon showed the Axemen this was still a two-team matchup. Just before half, Atlanta Rhino Syas scored his clubs first try, followed by a Cowley conversion, cutting Jacksonville’s lead to 20-6. After this try, Atlanta took the momentum, and signaled the start of a big Rhinos rally that would last well into the second half.

Atlanta scores 22 more unanswered points, but Jacksonville ultimately wins the game

Just after halftime, the Rhinos’ Syas and Cowley (respectively) scored and converted another try, bringing the score to 20-12. Just two minutes later, Atlanta’s Fontana added another try, and a Cowley conversion, bringing the score to 20-18. Then the Atlanta’s Syas scored his third try (but no conversion) to take a 22-20 lead over the Jacksonville Axemen.

Around the halfway mark of the Second Half, the Rhinos Says tacked on yet another try, converted by Colwey’s conversions. After this Rhinos’ run, they had scored 28 unanswered points. With only ten minutes left in the game, Atlanta held a 28-20 lead over Jacksonville.

However, the Axemen regained control in the closing minutes of the game. With about ten minutes left in the game Jacksonville’s Diggins scored both a try and the conversion to cut Atlanta’s lead back to two points. Just three minutes later, the Axemen retook the lead, following a try by Thomas and conversion by Diggins, making the score 32-28. As the game ended, Jacksonville’s Cock and Diggins teamed up for another try and conversion, making the matchup’s final score Jacksonville Axemen 38 – Atlanta Rhinos 28.

Jacksonville head to Boston for the National Championship on August 27th against next week's winner between the Philadelphia Fight and Boston 13s (2015 Champions).