Jacksonville remains perfect and secures slot in SC USARL Championship Game

Source: Brian Cole | Rugby Wrap-up

In the process, the Axemen also have secured slot in next Saturday’s (13 August) in the Southern Conference (SC) USARL Championship Game.  This matchup against the Atlanta Rhinos takes place on the soccer fields of the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville jumps out to large lead before halftime

Although the Central Florida Warriors scored the first (unconverted) try in their contest against the Jacksonville Axemen Saturday, the Warriors could not secure their lead for long.  The Axemen quickly responded with a converted try, giving Jacksonville a 6-4 advantage over Central Florida.  The Axemen soon scored another try, but missed the conversion, building their lead over the Warriors to six.  Before the first half ended, Jacksonville tacked on another try to take a 16-4 lead into halftime.

Axemen lengthen lead over Warriors to win the game

Early in the second half, Jacksonville scored and converted a try to take a 22-4 lead over Central Florida.  The Warriors responded with a converted try of their own, closing the gap to twelve points.  However, the Axemen quickly scored another try and conversion to lengthen their lead back to 18 points.  Central Florida scored another try, but missed the conversion, cutting Jacksonville’s advantage back to 14.  Prior to the end of the game, Jacksonville would score two more tries and one conversion, bringing the final score to Jacksonville 38 – Central Florida 14.

Jacksonville meets Atlanta Saturday, 13 August, for the SC USARL Championship

As previously mentioned, the Jacksonville Axemen will meet the Atlanta Rhinos (3-3-1) this coming Saturday, 13 August, for the SC USARL Championship.  Atlanta arrives as a surprise opponent for the Axemen, after the Rhinos unexpectedly defeated the Tampa Mayhem (3-4-0) in back-to-back contests on 30 July and 06 August.

As a result, Atlanta won three straight games, starting with a win over Central Florida 16 July, after starting the season 0-3-1.  In contrast, Tampa lost its last three contests after starting off 2016 3-1-0, losing to the Jacksonville Axemen 16 July prior to dropping the two matchups against the Rhinos.