Axemen Bob Knoepfel opened the tempo of the game from the first tackle with a rush from the opening kick off and launched his body into the fight receiver. Although he sustained a shoulder injury from the massive hit that will be accessed later, he set the pace from the start for what was to follow. After the game Bob said, We had expected the newly "renovated" Philly side to come out firing on all cylinders and knew we would have to weather some tough stuff in the first ten minutes. The injury could have happened to anyone at anytime, but I wanted to set the standard from the first hit to make sure we opened the season with a good win this year."

Both teams also had to weather the weather with heavy rain coming down for 90% of the game, and it appeared early that both had some trouble holding on to the ball to complete their sets of tackles. The Axemen soon changed their game plan to a shorter passing version and went back to some basic sets of plays to help counter mother nature and found almost instant success with ball possession swinging their way and within 15 minutes had crossed the try line to get the score board ticking.

The Axemen continued to control much of the ball in the first half and went into the break leading 18 to nil.

The Fight came out in the second half like a new team. They turned up the intensity of their runs and tackles and it was not long before a few blows of the refs whistle where needed to keep the tackles from creeping "upstairs" from both teams. The weather continued to be a factor for both sides but the Axemen stayed focused and the experience of the two Australian players, Brent Shorten and Shaun Murray, began to show as both kept the Axemen on the move and more importantly kept cool heads on the field with both set choice and temper that could have frayed at any minute. The fight also began to compose themselves and they managed to get 2 tries in during the second half but the Axemen replied to both of them and added some more as well to close out the game with a 36 to 8 win.

Other Axemen injuries seen Justin Sphaler get a nasty facial clash, Randy Dewey with a suspected broken nose, Rich Alleger will need 2 weeks to rest his knee and Max Schwartz will be nursing a very swollen ankle for at least a few days before running again.

An Axemen spokesman quoted on the game with glowing reports, "The day was obviously a success for us and a good win, but I think the Philly Fight team won a lot of stuff as well. They have improved a 100% on their entire organization. We played in a first class facility here at West Chester University, which is very similar to our set up at UNF in Florida. Great locker rooms and a very professionally run event. We helped raise money for a local charity as well." He also commented on the post game gathering with, "Their new bar sponsor "Kildares Irish Pub" was just as good as out own Fionn MacCools in Jacksonville. They treated us very well and their was a full house of fans and supporters to mingle with the players. All in all this entire day has been a success for both teams and showed the AMNRL as a whole is moving in a very positive direction."

A full game report and MVP will be posted soon under the menu keys for each.

The Axemen have this weekend off as a bye and Coach Spinner Howland and his girlfriend will be hosting all the players, family and friends to the "Coaches Pool Party" at his home in Jacksonville on Saturday.

The Axemen travel to New York City on June 14th to take on the New York Knights at "The Castle"