January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
'Gades sound early warning
Player-coach Paul Jones scored two tries, while Tom Healy, Peter Dunkerley and Scott Slater picked up one apiece as the Renegades completed a clean sweep winning three out of three matches.
Police and Teachers had a win, a draw and a defeat while Mariners took the wooden spoon with three straight losses.
Games were played on a shortened pitch over 30 minutes, with all four teams in action over the course of the day.
The absence of posts for the traditional pre-season tournament meant a simplified scoring system with no conversions or drop-goals, with teams forced to play more expansive running rugby instead of kicking.
Healy said the tournament was a good omen for Renegades, who won it last year and went on to win the league.
But he said, despite the victory, there was still plenty to work on.
"We've been trying out a few new players. We've been training really well and that fed onto the pitch.
"We are known as a backs team but it was the forwards that won it for us this weekend. They were doing the hard yards and making it easy for the backs."
Mariners coach Lawrence Bird said the overall standard had been a bit rusty and things needed to improve as the season went on.
He added: "All four sides were fairly evenly matched on the day, evidenced by the close scorelines , which is encouraging as Bermuda is desperately in need of competitive rugby, which will ultimately be reflected in the national team performances.
"Renegades and Teachers appeared to have included a few stalwarts from the past in their squad, but it was encouraging to see Police and Mariners with several good new players, the latter with new players emerging from its youth programme into the senior game, again which can only be good for the game in Bermuda."
A women's event was included in the tournament for the first time with Teachers taking the inaugural crown.
The men's league starts next Sunday with Mariners taking on Police and current champions Renegades against Teachers. n[[In-content Ad]]
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