TAMPA, FL – This weekend, the USA Rugby League (USARL) Southern Conference (SC) clubs takes the bye week to prepare for the second segment of the season. While waiting for the USARL season to resume, Rugby Wrap Up (RWU) takes time to recap each SC club’s first half of the 2018 USA Rugby League season.
First Place
Jacksonville Axemen – After their woeful struggles through the 2017 USARL season, the Jacksonville Axemen have regained their swagger, and remain a perfect 3-0-0 in league play. Along with the Axemen’s unblemished record, Jacksonville also claim a wide margin in points scored – 180, and points allowed – 76. On Saturday, June 30, the Axemen split the Southwest Florida (SWFL) Copperheads in a 90-4 rout.
Second Place
Tampa Mayhem – Ranking secondly, the Tampa Mayhem, 2017 runners-up in the USARL SC, have started the 2018 with a record of 2-1-0. Through three games, the Mayhem have scored 122 points and have allowed 84 points. So far, the club’s lone loss was to the Axemen on June 2, 46-34. This past Saturday, Tampa rounded up the Atlanta Rhinos with a decisive 46-24 at Tampa Catholic High School.
Third Place
Atlanta Rhinos – In third place, the Atlanta Rhinos, the 2017 USARL National Champions, have started the 2018 season with a disappointing 1-2-0 record. Despite Atlanta’s losing record, the Rhinos have actually scored more points (118) than they have allowed (104). On June 9, the Rhinos defeated the SWFL Copperheads 58-6. With this large margin of victory, the Rhinos’ maintain positive point differential in spite of their losing record.
Fourth Place
Southwest Florida (SWFL) Copperheads – Currently in fourth place, the SWFL Copperheads, the USARL’s newest team, draws ruggers from the Naples Hammerheads, Florida Gulf Coast University, Ava Maria University, and the Sarasota Surge. Of course, all of these teams are Rugby Union clubs. So, understandably, these players have had to adjust to Rugby League, which differs substantially from union. At the mid-season mark, the Copperheads are currently 0-3-0, have scored 32 points, and have allowed 200 points.
USARL Second Half of Season Resumes Saturday, July 14
Following the mid-season bye weekend, the Atlanta Rhinos will host the SWFL Copperheads at the Atlanta Silverbacks Park. As scheduled, the Atlanta v. SWFL matchup kicks off at 4 p.m. Later that afternoon, the Tampa Mayhem will travel to the University of North Florida Soccer Fields. Following the game’s 6 p.m. kickoff, Tampa will attempt to avenge its season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Axemen.
Links to more information about the clubs, the SC USARL, and RWU
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P.S… In order to best keep up with the Jacksonville Axemen, Atlanta Rhinos, Tampa Mayhem, SWFL Copperheads, and the SC of the USARL (USARL) this season, enlist 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 the USARL’s newest club, the SWFL Copperheads, please visit the team’s Facebook page. For more information about the Tampa Mayhem, please visit the team’s website.
Finally, for additional details relating to the USA Rugby League (USARL), please visit the website.
