Game Report: Round 5
The Dr. Clayman Plastic Surgery Center Jacksonville Axemen remain undefeated after a tough win over the Kill Cliff Atlanta Rhinos. The win secured that the Axemen remain on top of the ladder and have earned a home playoff game on July 26th. The match was another battle of will for both teams with the conditions very hot and humid on the field when the game kicked off.
The score was held 0-0 until late in the first quarter score until Joey Bobbin finally crossed into the try zone and the Axemen lead 6-0. Into the second quarter, the Axemen pushed for a repeat performance from Bobbin, who scored once again bringing the score to 12-0. The Rhinos refused to go into half-time scoreless however, and scored late in the half closing the gap to 12-6 with the Axemen in the lead. The Jacksonville defense dominated the second half, never allowing the Rhinos another try scored, while the team continued the assault with three more tries scored by Kevin Wathen, Richie Alleger, and Josh Cock. With Mat Keeley making 4 of his 5 conversion kicks, the final score was 28-6. “It was tough out there today,” says Coach Mat Keeley. “I personally have never played in heat like that. It was an arm wrestle for most of the game but I have to give my boys credit for the character they showed in the 3rd quarter”.
For the player points for Round 5 against the Rhinos, Apple Pope was named to earn 1 point for his second week in a row. “Apple is starting to settle into the team really well and just gives is that extra dimension in attack. He has been one of the top players in the USA for a number of years and as a coach it is a please to have a player like Apple on your team.”
Earning 2 points with his first mention of the season is Taylor “Thor” Youngling. “It says a lot when two of your reserve players feature in the top 3 players. Thor is a guy who only knows how to play the game one way, and that’s tough. It’s only his second season of Rugby League and he is starting to reap the rewards of his hard work and I expect him to become a household name in years to come.”
With 3 points and MVP of the match is import player Joey Bobbin. “It was great to see Joey come into his own against Atlanta. He is a smart footballer and picked his moments well today. He has probably been guilty of trying too hard in recent weeks so I was pleased to see him just concentrate on his role and I think everyone would agree he was the best player out there today”.
The Axemen will have the weekend off with the USARL wide bye week for the 4th of July, but will return home to Hodges Stadium to take on the Tampa Mayhem on Sat. July 12.
