After the Copperheads fell to the Tampa Mayhem in Round 2, a rematch a week later for Round 3 was highly anticipated. Unfortunately, severe lightning strikes forced an extended halftime break and ended up cutting the match short. However, enough minutes elapsed in the second half for the game to officially count. Even so, the Mayhem won once again, beating the Copperheads 20-6 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida on June 25th. Special thanks go to our sponsors, Encore Cabinets & Design, KAM Concrete, Booty Builder, Estero Bay Chevrolet and Chiropractic Care & Rehab Center.
Full Game Here (Please Like and Subscribe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVnaGL4AXGY
The Mayhem led 10-0 after the first half. It was a dominant first half for the Mayhem. The Copperheads in the first half only had a completion rate of around 20%, meaning that with all their possessions with the ball, there wasn’t a penalty against, a handling error or a turnover in 20% of the possessions and finish with a kick or a score. For context, many teams would love to get around 70% in their completion rate. Even though the Copperheads were strong on defense and displayed good effort, all that defending took its toll.
Photo: Riordan Sweet in the #30 Jumper and Rashard Shelton in the KAM Concrete Pumping #12 taking down the Tampa Mayhem ball carrier.
However, after the extended halftime, the Copperheads had a much improved second half, playing with more intensity and urgency. The Copperheads were tougher on the middle third and did a better job on Tampa’s big blokes than in the previous week keeping their completion percentage lower as well.
Offensively in the second half Second Row Liam Duffy got things rolling with a nice toss to Center Riordan Sweet in the #30. Sweet had his second active game in a row, barreling his way down the field with authority. After a quick play the ball Hooker Arnold Mananu in the Roger B. Rice PA #9 jersey set up, Second Row Liam Piggins in the IN10CT #10 jersey for a magnificent try. The Copperheads enforcer scampered in displaying both speed and power running through players and swatting away half hearted arm tackle attempts for the score. That made the score 10-4, followed by half back Anthony Halikas in the Key Moving #7 kicking in the conversion to further close the gap.
However the Mayhem marched right down the field on some nifty passing before a bull rush in for the score, making it a 14-6 game. The Mayhem had one final score right before the game was called due to extreme weather.
Round 3 Highlights Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc7kQei658o
Liam Piggins in the IN10CT #10 was named Player's Player, with 4 points. Wes Piggins had the second most votes, and took the 3 points. Then in a two way tie for third, new comer Anthony Sculles in the #42 and Vice Captain Andrew Riordan in the KAM Concrete Pumping #11 will both be getting 2 points.
Liam Piggins in the IN10CT #10, pictured above, named Players' Player by his teammates.
After three rounds, the Copperheads are in third place with a record of 1-2. They have a little time off before gearing up for a tough matchups against an improving South Florida Speed team, and the Jacksonville Axeman.
The only way to catch the Tampa Mayhem again this season is in the playoffs in August. To do that the Copperheads need to do one thing from here on out, win.
The first match back happens in Jacksonville on July 16th. Then they play the Speed on the 23rd on back to back road games. However the good guys finish the year at home against the Axeman on Saturday July 30th at 7 PM, at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. Below is the information on our next home game.
⬛ BLACKOUT GAME!
🆚 The Jacksonville Axemen
🏟️ Paradise Coast Sports Complex
⌚️ 7pm Kickoff (7/30/2022)
🔢 USA Rugby League Round 6
🎟️ Tickets 👉 https://bit.ly/3y9riu1
First 30 to buy $20 Reserved Seating tickets online get our Snake Pit supporter shirt FREE.
Remember anything higher than section "I" stays dry!
Use the Google Forms link by the 25th to have your name added to the Snake Pit supporter shirt (below)! https://forms.gle/isqQ4gh8Q2mTAZKH6
