From: http://jacksonville.com/sports/2010-08-21/story/jacksonville-axemen-advance-american-national-rugby-league-championship (http://jacksonville.com/sports/2010-08-21/story/jacksonville-axemen-advance-american-national-rugby-league-championship)
Photos: http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=1061691&CategoryID=9088&ListSubAlbums=0 (http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=1061691&CategoryID=9088&ListSubAlbums=0)
QuoteAfter losing their two previous matches to the Jacksonville Axemen, the Aston Bulls knew exactly what to expect.
But the Pennsylvania team was unable to stop it.
"Our game plan was to control the ball and spread the field, like we did in the other two matches," Axemen player/coach Spinner Howland said. "We started out a bit slow in the opening quarter but rebounded to control the last 60 minutes of the match."
Fullback Kenny Britt and lock Adrian Grayson each scored three tries to power the Axemen to a 46-4 victory over Aston in an American National Rugby League semifinal match Saturday at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida.
The undefeated Axemen will face the top-seeded and unbeaten New Haven Warriors in the Grand Final of the AMNRL next Saturday in Philadelphia.
T
his is the second year in a row that the Axemen enter the Grand Final undefeated. In the 2009 game, they lost to the New York Knights.
"We had to know what it felt like to lose in order to be ready to win," Howland said. "We will be ready for whoever we have to play. We are the best conditioned team in the league."
The Axeman built a 24-0 advantage by intermission on two tries by Britt and one each by Brent Shorten and Dylan Beaver.
"The weather was hot for both teams," Britt said. "We needed to jump out on them early and take their skill players out of the match."
The Axemen's strategy was to make the Bulls' skill players have to make tackles on defense and wear them down.
"We took their playmakers out of the game," Howland said. "It is hard to score when you don't control the ball. We played a great game and dominated them."
The Bulls managed to score a try with 1:38 left in the match to avoid the shutout.
"New Haven is a very good team, and they mirror us in a lot of ways," Howland said. "They have a lot of players from New Zealand, and they play a similar style. It is going to be a great match
."
Link to match photos: http://www.allenerachalphotography.com/Rugby-League/2010-Semi-Final/13446586_iAgiM#978726868_mwxHL (http://www.allenerachalphotography.com/Rugby-League/2010-Semi-Final/13446586_iAgiM#978726868_mwxHL)
This is really cool! My buddy Albert is on the team, unfortunately he just tore his ACL and can only hope to be back in time for next season.
I'm telling you...... If you haven't been you don't know what you are missing. The Axemen are the best value for your sports and entertainment dollar here in Jacksonville.
The Altlantic Cup will be back in Jacksonville this November, team USA against Canada and Jamaica in a round robin tournement.
I will keep you all posted as more details come up.