http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Axemen_qualify_for_Grand_Final.shtml
Axemen Qualify for Grand Final
Posted in:
Rugby League
By Brian Lowe
Aug 22, 2009 - 5:21:56 PM
Jacksonville has qualified for the American National Rugby League championship final with a 46-20 win against the Boston 13s in the second semifinal Saturday in north Florida.
It will be the Axemen’s first ever appearance in the league’s showpiece event.
Jacksonville was the favorite going into the game having completed an unbeaten run through the regular season.
The Axemen, who hadn’t played a match since wrapping up the minor premiership in late July, took an 18-10 lead into halftime.
The 13s kept themselves in contention by pressuring Jacksonville in their own end throughout the first two quarters.
The rain poured during the first half making for a sloppy pitch, but it didn’t stop both teams from laying on some huge hits in typical rugby league style.
Early on because of the conditions the rhythm was missing, but when the sun came out in the third quarter the Axemen got down to business by completing sets and making good yardage.
It was during that third frame that Jacksonville took the ascendancy and rammed home the advantage.
John Turlington and Shane Singleton were among the many who stood out for the Axemen, while Daryl ‘Spinner’ Howland was among the try-scorers.
“Overall our offense was decent and our defense was good for about 80% of the time,” Howland told ARN. “We’re hitting form when we need to be.”
Although the 13s’ inaugural season has come to an end, they put together a remarkable run by advancing as deep as they did into the playoffs.
“We are the smallest team in the AMNRL but we came down here and played with heart,” Boston president Mikhael Shammas told ARN.
Brothers Lance and Miguel Gaines, Setevano Talavave, voted the Players’ Player, and Nate Bangura accounted for Boston’s four tries, while Brent Gill went 2-for-4 on conversions.
“I guess the Cinderella story is over but it has been an exhilarating season,” added Shammas. “We’re pleased to have got this far and we know we played an excellent match.”
So the stage is now set for next week’s Championship Final XII in New York City where Jacksonville will face the New York Knights to determine the 2009 American rugby league champions.
The Knights’ one and only trip to the Grand Final prior to this resulted in victory in 2002, while for the Axemen it will be their first opportunity for a shot at a national championship.
