JACKSONVILLE, FL – With their wins Saturday, the Atlanta Rhinos (3-0-0) and the Tampa Mayhem (2-1-0) took over first and second slots, respectively, in the Southern Conference (SC) of the USA Rugby League (USARL).
The Rhinos soundly defeated the Central Florida Warriors (0-3-0) 58-20. The Mayhem’s matchup against the Jacksonville Axemen (1-2-0) was a much closer game. Tampa rallied from behind in the second half to win 20-18.
Rhinos Rout Warriors in Atlanta
The Atlanta Rhinos, playing on their home field at Silverback Stadium Saturday, dominated from the beginning. The Rhinos had built a 12-0 lead over the Central Florida Warriors by the 20 minute mark of the first half. By halftime, the Rhinos had secured a 34-0 lead over the Warriors.
The Central Florida Warriors scored their first try at the beginning of the second half. However, the kicker failed to convert the try, bringing the score to 34-4. The teams then traded tries through the last 40 minutes of the game. But, in the end, the Rhinos remained in control, finishing the contest with a 58-20 rout over the Warriors.
This Saturday, the Atlanta Rhinos will hit the road to take on the Jacksonville Axemen on the University of North Florida soccer fields. Meanwhile, the Central Florida Warriors travels to Tampa Catholic High School for a meetup with the Tampa Mayhem.
Mayhem Come from Behind to Beat the Axemen
The Jacksonville Axemen scored the game’s first two tries and conversions. Jacksonville took a 6-0 lead at the 13 minute mark (before the first water break). Then the Axemen a 12-0 lead 27 minutes (after the water break) into the game. Through the remainder of the first half, the Axemen kept the Mayhem off of the scoreboard. However, Tampa also tightened up, keeping Jacksonville out of the try zone for the rest of the first half. Going into halftime, the Axemen held onto a 12-0 lead over the Mayhem.
However, the momentum swayed toward the Tampa Mayhem after halftime. Tampa scored its first try and conversion 13 minutes into the second half narrowing the Axemen’s lead to six. Four minutes later, Tampa scored again, but missed the conversion. This cut Jacksonville’s lead to two points.
Just after the second half’s water break, Tampa tacked on another try to take the lead. However, the Mayhem missed its conversion, giving Tampa a tenuous two point lead going into the last 20 minutes of the matchup. With just four minutes left in the game, Tampa scored a converted try, taking a 20-12 lead over Jacksonville. The Axemen scored and converted right as the game ended. Nevertheless, the Tampa Mayhem secured the come from behind win, beating the Jacksonville Axemen 20-18.
As mentioned previously, the Tampa Mayhem will host the Central Florida Warriors this Saturday at Tampa Catholic High School. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Axemen host the Atlanta Rhinos Saturday on the UNF Soccer Fields.
Check out Rugby Wrap Up for further Southern Conference USA Rugby League Coverage
For further coverage of the Southern Conference of the USA Rugby League, please visit Rugby Wrap Up’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Also, please visit USARL’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed for more Rugby League schedules, scores, and commentary.
To learn more about the Atlanta Rhinos, please visit the club’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. For more information relating to the Jacksonville Axemen, please check out the team’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
To learn more about the Central Florida Warriors, please visit the club’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. For additional information regarding the Tampa Mayhem, please check out the team’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
And here are the USARL links: Website, Facebook, Twitter…
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