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A fired up Police team outlasted a determined National team to win the Duckett Memorial Trophy. It was an exciting contest, which saw the lead change no less than seven times.

Police started the game with their usual passion and fury that are the hallmarks of every Duckett game.

After missing an earlier penalty kick for an offside infringement, Police captain Michael Kane did not miss on a second gift penalty in front of the posts for a repeat offence.

The National side bounced back with a cheeky back line move that left the Police flatfooted and they scored in corner.

After several lusty forward exchanges that were not for the faint hearted, Police prop Jamie Billings' surging run set up the platform required by Police standout Andrew Flint, who showed his NPC pedigree with a superb individualistic try.

After deftly chipping an aggressive National team back line, who were up very fast defensively, Flint collected the kind bounce and out paced the covering defence to score in corner-

Kane missed conversion, but the Police were up 8-5.

The National side then replied with some lovely interplay and strong running, which saw the ball recycled several times before a quick blind side move broke through a wilting Police team.

The National side once again missed the difficult conversion 10-8. They were unfortunate not to extend the lead when one of their players dropped the ball with the try line beckoning.

A resolute Police team fought their way back into the game and scored from a quick line out ball, which caught the National team off guard and took the score to 13-10 just before the half time whistle.

After the break the National team refused to capitulate and ran the ball from everywhere on the park.

Fullback Tom Healy outstripped a desperate Police defence as the National side soaked up immense opening pressure before counter attacking the length of the pitch to score another break away try against the run of play.

The National side converted taking the score to 17-13.

With Police full back Jonathan Cassidy going off injured worried Police supporters urged their boys in blue on. Led by the ubiquitous Kenny O'Shea and the effervescent Andreas Battison the Police forwards began to provide more and more ball for their dangerous back line.

Police second row Mark Evans had a blinder and was dominating in loose ball exchanges with some storming runs, which eventually released Warren Bundy to score.

The Bundy try exemplified Police play on the day.

After some aggressive forward play by Matt Smith and Ryan Sommerville and a well thought snipe down the blind side by Gareth Davies, Bundy powered over in corner with Kane making the difficult and important conversion (20-17).

In the true spirit of the Duckett, the national side captained by Teachers and West Indies star Derek Hurdle, played an expansive game looking to win rather than tie the game in the closing moments.

Stout defence by the Police back line led by Jamie Webb ensured victory for the boys in blue.

The Police second XV lost 20 to 15.

Women's:

For only the second year the Duckett fixture included a ladies match with the BPRFC taking on the combined Rest. The standard of play was truly impressive and shows how far the women's game has come in the past 18 months.

The Rest, lead by Kim Spencer and coached by the always enthusiastic Graham Thomas, came prepared to capture the trophy which eluded them last year.

Amy Harvey powered up the field early on scoring her first try of the afternoon.

Police soon replied with Julia Mansfield flying down the wing to put one on the board for Police.

As the game settled down the Rest began to show their experience with some clever passing through the centre which allowed Harvey two more tries to complete her hat trick.

Buoyed by a quick pep talk from new coaches Mike Williams and Conrad Hinchey and fantastic crowd support, Police were on the move again with Mansfield managing to slip through the offside Rest defence.

In reply, Nancy Catellier scored what would be the winning try for the Rest with a quick dodge in from the wing.

The Police dug in for a final drive down the field which culminated in Laura Robinson scoring the third Police try right on the stroke of full time.

Congratulating the Rest, Police captain Jen Baird said, "The Rest played an aggressive game and definitely pushed us. It was disappointing to have to give up the title this year, but Police played a solid match and kept it close.

"I have no doubt we'll be bringing the trophy back home next year!"[[In-content Ad]]

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