January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Mariner beat depleted Teachers' side 28 to 8
The first game saw Mariners take on Teachers. Teachers were missing a litany of key players starting without with Derek Hurdle, Chris Naylor, Harry Andrews, and their talismanic leader David Porter. Mariners were looking to rebound from the previous weekend's embarrassing 50-24 shellacking at the hands of 5 time league champions Renegades. From initial blast of referee John Weale's whistle, it was clear that Mariners were going to play a forward dominated game plan with their heavier pack taking it to the opposite numbers early on but Teachers served notice that despite their depleted state they were up to the challenge. Some astute tactical kicking kept the ball in the Mariners half and Teachers made the advantage pay by cashing in on an early penalty by Chris Way. Mariners steadied their ship and sailed back with some potent rucking and mauling. A penalty was awarded and the brave Alun Thomas, playing with 10 staples in his head, opted to kick for an attacking lineout. The dependable Gary Brady hit his lineout target David Rourke and the ensuing forward drive and subsequent rolling maul resulted in Kris Furbert touching down for an unconverted try. Mariner's front row bolstered by the return of veterans Paddy Topley and Jason Scott dominated the scrums and began to win ball against the head. With the edge in possession Mariners drove closer to the line and Furbert improved on his impressive strike rate with yet another close range rolling maul try. Mariners finished the half off in the ascendancy and an excellent tackle by winger Warren Green set up a counter attack deep in Teachers territory. Some fine interplay between backs and forwards culminated in skipper Rich Brown forcing his way over in the corner for a well deserved 15-3 half time lead.
A fiery oration from sidelined captain David Porter and the appearance of Chris Naylor at scrumhalf, saw Teachers blast out of the blocks from the restart. The Reds threw the ball about and stretched the Mariners out wide creating chinks in their armor. Prop Devrae Noel Simmons appeared to have been released by a nifty pass from his hooker Thomas "Tank" Greenslade but referee Weale called it back for a suspiciously forward looking pass. However the reprieve was short-lived for Mariners as some enterprising played uncorked the ageless wonder Alvin Harvey on a sprightly 30 dash for an unconverted try in the corner closing the gap to 15-8. Mariners regrouped and reasserted the forward dominance and scored 13 answered points to kill the game off. A series of forward phases set up the platform from which Mariners workhorse Rich Birum launched himself from 10 yards out to score. Mark Pomeroy knocked over a short distance penalty and all of a sudden Teachers were chasing the game down 23-8. Teachers began to play with increasing desperation, running from the shadows of their own posts. The high risk play cost them, as after a comedy of errors, the ball somehow founds its way into the grateful arms of Mariner hooker Dustin Archibald who strolled over for the nail in the coffin try. Rich Brown chipped over the conversion to see his side through to the Nichol Shield final with a well deserved 28-8 victory
The second game saw all conquering Renegades take on a severely depleted Police team. The Police club's lack of depth was exposed as they started with no less than seven first team players missing. Despite this obvious handicap, Police started off well and some strong runs from the departing Nick West, playing in his last game for the Blues saw an early opportunities for points offered when the 'Gades were pulled up by referee Dennis Dwyer for an infringement at the break down. The normally dependable Michael Kane narrowly skewed the easy kick and the chance went begging. Police continued to take advantage of the surprising slumberous play of the league champions and Ian Simpson, filling in the unfamiliar number 8, went on a trademark bollocking charge. Once again 'Gades were called up for not rolling away from the tackle- Kane made up for his early miss with a well struck 40 meter penalty to give the Blues an unexpected 3-0 lead. Down by three points the sleeping giants of local rugby awoke and awoke with the vengeance of a grizzly bear unexpectedly disturbed from his annual period of hibernation. The Black and Whites scored 9 unanswered tries in a riveting 55 point outburst; a performance that underlined their dominance of local rugby. The Police courageously battled on and tackled themselves to a stand still. It has to be said the Police played to the best of their ability considering the weakened team they fielded but were simply outclassed by a Renegades team that is rich both in experience and pace. The 'Gades forwards began to dominate the loose play and as such kept possession of the ball, recycling quickly and efficiently which allowed the creative talents of their vaunted half back tandem of Tom Healy and Paul Waldburger to shine. Three tries came in quick succession after some stellar ball handling and excellent angles of running shredded the gallant Police back line with winger Colin Keane, full back Eoghan O'Dwyer and center John Jackson crossing over for a 19-3 lead. Jackson then delighted the crowd just before the half with a fine individualist try- seeing the Police backs up fast, he deftly chipped over and chased down his own kick. A quick shimmy round the startled Blues fullback and wee Jackson was over for his second try of the game. Waldburger made 3 out of 4 conversions to give the 'Gades a commanding 26-3 half time lead. The second half started off well for the Renegades with a painful pattern developing for the Boys in Blue- valiant defending followed by an errant clearing kick would result in ruthless counter attacks. The lack of a recognizable back row meant that Police were starved of ball and what little possession they had was under immense pressure. Renegades showed their considerable depth of talent bringing on a series of substitutions- notably Neil McGuiness at fullback. The Bermuda Irish stalwart showed his pedigree by quickly scoring two superb tries and thereby creating a welcome headache for his selection committee. The first try saw a well worked backline move, down the 13 channel, finished off with some good pace and the second came off some great jinking moves which left the Police defenders grasping for thin air. Waldburger converted both for a 40-3 lead. Tom Healy was shortly rewarded for his unselfish virtuoso performance when he spotted a gap and shot through for a converted try. Down 47-3 Police pluckily fought on despite being clearly outclassed and were looking to score a consolation try. Camped down in the Renegades 22 meters Police were working methodically towards the Renegades line when the artfully poacher Conor McGlynn managed to kick a loose ruck ball through. The ball took a lucky bounce into the hands of Colin Keane who galloped the length of the pitch to score. This cruel turn of fortune seemed to knock the stuffing out of already wilting Police team and Renegades heaped on more misery with a final try in the closing seconds. Another length of the pitch move involving McGuiness and the effervescent Keane saw the ball kept alive by excellent support play from the ubiquitous Conrad Hinchley. Healy's slight frame was held up short of the line but excellent recycling saw the more robust McGlynn make no mistake- plowing over from close to finish off an ominous and dominating 55-3 performance. The victory sets up a mouth watering final between league champions Renegades and the only team to beat them twice this year Mariners. It promises to be a great contest.
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