January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Mariners shock Renegades
The opening game at an exposed Malabar field saw a much maligned Mariners outfit, still seeking their first league win of the season, take on front running and favourites Renegades. In horrendous conditions with gale force gusts of wind and driving squalls of rain, both teams trotted onto the paddock shivering and wondering about the wisdom of playing in such inclement weather. Renegades were without their kicking specialist Paul Waldburger who was in running in the New York City marathon. As well they were saying good bye to veteran flanker come front row Mike Williams who was playing in his final game after six years of dedicated service not only to Renegades but also highly commendable stint with the National team. Bermuda will be the lesser for the departure of this likable burly Welshman. Referee Keith Hodgkins blew his whistle to start the auspicious game in hellacious howling winds which made his shrill blast barely audible to players and spectactors alike. Renegades playing with the wind to their backs kicked off deep and were immediately put on notice that Mariners' days of being the whipping boys of local rugby were over. Left winger Warren Green, who had a strong performance, dazzled with an end to end run in the opening movement of the game. His spectacular run was stopped inches short of the line by a try saving tackle by 'Gades interim stand-off Tom Healy. Buoyed by this mercurial start, the Mariners pack took the battle boldly to their vaunted opposite numbers and in trench warfare like conditions began to impress their will to win. In particular the Mariner front row of Dustin Archibald, Shaun Stafford and Ed Barnes were massive in the tight play. A text book lineout take by the giant lock David Rourke secured great set piece ball. The Mariners forwards, showing the fruition of the coaching skill of South African coach Johann Oosthuizen, began a series of rolling mauls that crept inexorability towards the try line. The mass of humanity crashed over and the eagled eyed referee Hodgkins awarded the opening score after spotting the grounding through a melee of bodies. A jubilant No 8 Gary Brady emerged with the ball and claimed the plaudits. Richard Holden narrowily missed the conversion but the Greens had drawn first blood 5-0. Renegades tried to mount a come back but where torn between using the strong tail wind to kick long and lose possession or run from deep with the limited possession they enjoyed. Also the half back combination of captain Darragh O'Donnoghue at scrum half and stand-off Healy was not clicking. Mariner's scrumhalf Rich Fisher was giving O'Donnoghue a torrid time harassing at the base of the retreating 'Gades scrums. A brave solo run by West Indies sevens star Healy, saw the sinewy Irishman break the Mariners line and tear towards a sure try. Mariners skipper Richard Brown backtracked superbly and his cover tackle drove Healy into touch. Healy's frustration was palpable and a fracas erupted with Healy amazingly avoiding a yellow card after engaging in a heated shoving match with both Mariners locks and the startled linesmen. The out burst appeared to inspire the Renegades who went through a purple patch, but at the half time whistle, only had two missed penalties to show for their improved play. When one of the penalty kicks hit the up right, one sensed that it could be Mariners day. Mariners began the second half with the strong winds at their back, playing down the slight incline and scent of a famous victory in their flaring nostrils. Mariner's flanker Kris Furbert had a storming game and was every where in the loose; doling out massive hits in defense. Midway through the second half Mariners struck for their second try of the day. The scoring move started from a well won scrum with flanker Ryan Gonsalves spinning through two tackles and silkily off loading to fly-half Richard Holden. Holden gratefully ate up the space created, drew the cover defense before beautifully timing a long pass to winger Lars Jensen. Jensen put on the after burners and was controversially awarded a try in the corner when the referee adjudicated that the tackler not Jensen had hit the corner flag. Holden brilliantly converted from the side lines in wind swept conditions to extend his sides lead 12-0. By now Mariners were thoroughly dominating the affair and Renegades were taking on the unaccustomed role of chastened choirboys. Holden capped off an inspirational performance with an outstanding long distance penalty effort from inside his own half to finish of a remarkable 15-0 white wash of the current league champions. All in all a famous victory for Mariners and certainly not the send-off Mike Williams was expecting.
The second men's game on Saturday was the first encounter of the season between resurgent Teachers and surprising Police. The winner of this game having the potential to leap frog Renegades into first place in the league with a bonus point victory. Both teams applauded the Mariners off the park in an acknowledgement of their historic victory- a victory which leaves the league wide open to all. Referee Ron Flesch started the game in worsening conditions and unfortunately it was the weather that dominated the early stages of this much anticipated contest. With strong gale force winds shrieking down the pitch and blinding rain storms howling thorough the game- mayhem was created which resulted in a litany of handling errors. Surprisingly this favored Police who dominated early on in the numerous scrums. The vaunted Police front row of Jamie Billings, Angus Ayliffe and Nick West, showing superior strength and technique, consistently subjugated their opposite numbers in the scrum show downs. The game devolved into a battle of ten men rugby which again the Police unexpectedly dominated with strong driving runs coming in from Dave Bird and Mark Evans. Teachers dominated territorially by using the wild wind wisely and kicked for possession, safe in the knowledge that Police line-outs, despite the return of second row Mark Robinson, were incompetent. Indeed, Police coach Ken O'Shea, will have to address this cankerous sore if Police are going to realistically contented for the league title. Line out play is only improved by hours of training with the entire unit. Teacher's efforts in the lineout showed that they have spent useful time in training. Kevin Walsh shone at the front of the line while lanky Andrew Hook mopped up in the middle. The Reds spent most of the half camped in the Police 22 but were thwarted by an indefatigable defense, lead by Jonathon Cassidy who has being playing like a man possessed of late. Cassidy's form has improved exponentially since the start of the season and his work rate is outstanding. He is obviously motivated to make the Bermuda Sevens team going down to Bahamas at the end of the month for the Caribbean Seven tournament. A good performance may ensure Cassidy selection to the West Indies squad- an aspiration surely to be commended. The new found commitment and effort should go a long way of shedding the unfair moniker of Prima Donna in certain selection circles. Cassidy's now trade mark, jarring tackles set the tone and example for the rest of his team. Like rhino skidding dead at the feet of a big game hunter- Doug Davies fearless tackle on Noel Deverae Simons dropped the charging behemoth inches short of the line. Nick West then knocked back West Indies captain Derek Hurdle preventing a sure score before the half. The inspirational defensive stand allowed the boys in blue to go into the half all tied up at zero safe in the knowledge that they would have the wind in the second half. The restart saw Police stand-off Andrew Flint get the nod after returning from a Rugby World Cup "fear and loathing" odyssey. His injection of aggression was needed and some strong running from the outside half position put his team in the driving seat. Unfortunately his appearance was fleeting as referee Felch had to sin bin both Flint and Teachers flanker Peter Dunlop when tempers flared after a late and dangerous tackle. Luckily for both, the experienced referee identified the incident as more akin to hand bags at dawn then anything more sinister and took the necessary punitive actions to cool tempers. With a key back row player missing and the absence of the experience and dogged determination of their fiery scrum half David Porter who was serving his last game of his suspension, Teachers found that their usual solid defense was becoming porous. Police scrum half Mike Arbuthnot took advantage of the slighter physic of Chris Naylor and powered through two weak tackles to score between the posts. Michael Kane knocked over the conversion to take a 7-0 lead. Police dominated the second half and in particular incisive runs by Cassidy regularly sliced through the Teachers back line live a hot knife through butter. Sadly the support was not present to finish off these incursions- if it were Police would have scored a brace of tries and secured the bonus point. As it happened Cassidy made another break, this time he was supported by center Richard Keegan who linked with the charging Blues fullback Nick Superina. Superina rounded the remnants of a shattered back line and outpaced everyone to score by the sticks. Kane converted to give the Police a commanding 14-0 lead. A lead which they never relinquished, despite the frantic efforts of Teacher's to counter attack at every opportunity regardless of field position. Bermuda Under 18 "young bye" Kia Edwards shone in his debut out on the wing but the Reds could find no way back into the game. The final whistle saw Police tie with Renegades for top of the table league honours with a thoroughly deserved 14-0 victory. Heading into the World Rugby Classic break the league table is tensely poised with Police and Renegades equal on 13 points, Teachers on 8 points and Mariners closing the gap on 5 points. This is turning into a truly remarkable domestic season and all rugby enthusiasts should make every effort to come see the entertainment the BRFU has on fare.[[In-content Ad]]
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