January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Mariners retain title as last minute kick fails
In soaring temperatures, it was always going to be a true test of endurance but all teams seemed to cope well.
It was the ladies who kicked off the tournament, with Renegades playing Teachers and Mariners playing Police.
Women's rugby
First round
Renegades were superb, playing with great skill and speed as they overwhelmed a new-look Teachers side 8-0. Melissa Field was a constant threat, finishing with four of her side's tries, while Amy Harvey (2), Karen Peckett and Ruth Boo Leston all chipped in with scores.
In the other match, Mariners had a magnificent start and scored three early tries through the impressive Laryssa Yuel (2) and Amanda "Baby" Swan, but Police shored up the defense and there was no other scores in the other first round match.
Second round
The second round of games saw Renegades continue their fine form, with a 7-1 victory over Police. Amy Harvey, brilliant throughout, scored three while Field, Laura Haynes, Maria Dobinson and Peckett scored a try apiece to finish off. Anna Knapman-Scott got the Police's consolation score.
The other game was a topsy-turvy encounter, with the Mariners edging it 5-4. Chantal Brown was at the centre of things and bagged two tries for the girls in green, with Yuel, Liz Breeze and Jo Turner also scoring. For Teachers, new stars Marie Beaudoin (2), Sophie Lagaière and Jessica Cote all scored as they succumbed in this tight affair.
Championship
This meant that the final round of games was a winner takes all between Mariners and Renegades. Field sprinted through early for 'Gades, but Swan responded quickly for Mariners. Leston and Field again scored to edge Renegades 3-1 ahead only for Jasmine James to reply on the stroke of half-time.
Renegades opened brightly in the second half, making their greater experience count as Field, Harvey and Haynes put the match beyond Mariners. Yuel grabbed a late consolation, but Renegades retained their title after a 6-3 victory. Teachers beat the Police 4-1 in the other game.
Men's rugby
First round
The men's started off with a Renegades win over Teachers 12-5. Teachers led through a James Morrison try but Renegades fought back, with Ian Henderson scoring a fine try after surprising the defence and going down the blind side.
He converted to put the men in black 7-5 ahead, with Phiwe Soldati getting the last try at the end of the game to secure the win. Mariners opened their defence with a resounding 22-0 victory over Police.
The first was a magnificent score after fine work from both backs and forwards, with Lars Jensen finishing in the corner. More fine work from the pack led to Kris Furbert barging over, the dangerous Rich Holden converting. Captain Rich Brown led by example as he notched two tries to cap a fine team performance.
Second round
The second round pitted Mariners against Teachers, and the men in green gave a superb performance with magnificent ball retention. Holden slotted a penalty before Gary Brady burrowed over from close range.
Warren Green then capitalized on a Teachers error to score, with Holden rounding off an 18-0 win with a second penalty as tiredness began to creep in.
Police started their second match with all guns blazing, with Dave Bird charging through to put Police 5-0 ahead.
Renegades rallied, with Greg Garside breaking through some weak tackling to score in the corner. Henderson then added a penalty to make it 8-5.
The 'Gades sealed the win after some fine interplay from captain Pete Dunkley saw Jay Roobottom scamper over, with Henderson adding the extras. Final score was 15-5 to Renegades.
Third round
As with the ladies, this set up a decider between Mariners and the Renegades. First up, an unfortunate Police side fell 21-0 to an impressive Teachers performance. Luke Burgess ploughed over from close in, with Chris Naylor converting. Youngster Shauntino Simons capped a fine debut with an excellent long-range try, again converted by Naylor, with Dave Porter ghosting in for a third try.
The scene was set for a superb finale, and an uncompromising game didn't disappoint. Alun Thomas broke through the centre to put Mariners ahead, and with Holden's conversion it was 7-0. Both sides battled hard, with big hits coming in on both sides. Renegades reduced the gap to one point with two Henderson penalties, but the same player missed a penalty attempt with the last kick of the game to secure the win for the Mariners, who retained the title.
Weekend action
This Saturday sees Mariners take on Police and Teachers against the Renegades as the league opens up at Malabar. The first game is at 1 p.m and all support is both welcomed and encouraged.
* Gary Brady is the public relations officer for the Bermuda Football Rugby Union.
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