JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Axemen axed the Atlanta Rhinos 48-6 in a match-up between the two USA Rugby League (USARL) clubs Saturday. This marked the second of two games between the two teams for the 2016 USA Rugby League Season. Jacksonville walks away with both wins: 32-22 away in Atlanta and 48-6 at home on the University of North Florida (UNF) Soccer Fields.
With their win, the Jacksonville Axemen retain control of the Southeast Division (SE) of the USARL, taking a commanding 4-0-0 lead, one game ahead of the Tampa Mayhem (3-1-0). Also with this victory, the Axemen earn home field advantage for the first round of the SE USARL Playoffs (Saturday, 06 August).
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Rhinos remain tied with the Central Florida Warriors (who suffered a defeat at the hands of Tampa Saturday) for third in the SE USARL with records of 0-3-1.
Axemen take control early in game
The Jacksonville Axemen took control early in Saturday’s game, with the Atlanta Rhinos scoring their only try at the beginning of the matchup. After that it was all Axemen, as Jacksonville scored four tries and three conversions to take a 22-6 lead into halftime.
Axemen run over Rhinos in second half
After Atlanta kicked off to Jacksonville to start the second half, the Rhinos’ defense could do nothing to stop Axemen. To make matters worse Atlanta’s offense failed to put any more points on the board. In the final forty minutes of the game, Jacksonville scored five tries and three conversions to win the second matchup with Atlanta by a score of 48-6.
What lies ahead for the Axemen and Rhinos Saturday
This Saturday, the Jacksonville Axemen will travel to Tampa to take on the Mayhem. The Axemen shut out the Mayhem in Jacksonville on 18 June, so Tampa seeks to avenge its early season loss at the hands of the Axemen. The teams will play on the Mayhem’s home field at Tampa Catholic High School.
Meanwhile, the Rhinos will host the Central Florida Warriors Saturday at Atlanta Silverbacks Stadium. The clubs, which tied 28-28 to start off their seasons, are each looking for their first win of 2016. A win by either team will break the tie for third place in the SE USARL.
Learn more about the clubs, the USARL, and Rugby Wrap Up
That is all for now. Please feel free to comment below, look for and “Like” our Facebook Rugby Wrap Up Page and follow us on Twitter@: RugbyWrapUp, @BrianCCole, Junoir Blaber, @MeetTheMatts, Luke Bienstock, Ronan Nelson and Declan Yeats.
P.s… Keep up with the Axemen, Rhinos, Mayhem, Warriors, and the SE USA Rugby League (USARL) this season with the help of Rugby Wrap Up. To learn more about the Jacksonville Axemen, please visit the club’s website. For more information about the Atlanta Rhinos, please visit the club’s website. To learn more about more information about the Central Florida Warriors, please visit the team’s website. For more information about the Tampa Mayhem, please visit the team’s website. For additional information about the USA Rugby League (USARL), please visit the USARL website.
