Warriors go down to Axemen

2009-07-01

Jacksonville has proven in no uncertain terms that it is a legitimate championship contender with a 46-24 win against the reigning champs New Haven in Round Four of the American National League.

And there appears to be a changing of the guard with past titleholders Aston and the Connecticut Wildcats getting blown out.

In the Game of the Week, the Axemen made the long journey from north Florida to Connecticut to tackle the champs and early on it looked as though the visitors could be in for a long day.

The Warriors scored two quick tries in the first quarter to grab an early lead, but from then on the Axemen took control. Jacksonville’s overall fitness and in particular their marker defense was better, enabling them to dictate terms for the most part.

“We’re pretty excited,” Jacksonville CEO Spinner Howland told ARN. “It was a good day for us and it made the trip up here worthwhile.”

Simon Moate (2) again led all scorers and he was ably assisted by Apple Pope, Nick Shea, Shane Singleton, Howland and Craig Howitt, all of whom got on the board.

For New Haven, skipper Siose Muliumu (2), Ihaka Waerea and Keisi Misiteka scored tries, while Derek Roma went 4-from-4 on conversions. The Warriors earned a bonus point for tries.

“Full credit to them, they just out enthused us, and did the basics well” said New Haven player/coach Roy Leoni.

article courtesy of ARN.