Police win rugby curtain raiser

MONDAY, SEPT. 13: Following the recent success of the National Under 19 team in winning the Caribbean Championships, this weekend saw the Sandys Boat Club pre-season tournament. 

The first game of the men’s tournament saw the defending league champions Teachers take on defending tournament champions Renegades.  After making it to half time 0-0, a depleted Teachers team eventually succumbed to the Renegades attack, with first Ian Henderson slotting a penalty in front of the sticks and then current Bermuda male sports personality of the year Tom Healy darting over for a try, again converted by Henderson. 

The second game of the day saw defending Nicol Shield winners Mariners take on last seasons runners up in the league, Police.  In a close fought contest, Police’s superior numbers eventually told on a hot and humid day, with the boys in blue running out eventual winners 12-3.  Dan Cole and Durnferd Davis crossed for the Police, with Tommy Edwards converting one of the scores.  The Mariners fly half slotted a solitary penalty.

Next up saw Teachers take on Mariners, in what will be a prelude to the Presidents Cup match to be played on September 25.  Teachers ran out comfortable winners in this match.  Then Police took on Renegades.  In what was a closely fought match, with both teams having chances to win the contest, including missed penalties and a dropped ball over the try line by Police, both teams played out a deserved 0-0 draw, meaning that the tournament would go down to the last game.

The final round saw Teachers and Police renew their rivalries from last season.  In a bruising encounter which saw the referee dish out yellow cards, Police ran out eventual winners with tries from Ross Fitz and Tommy Edwards, with Edwards adding a penalty and a conversion.  David Pringle also added a spectacular touch line conversion for the coppers.  The final score line of 22-5 meant that Renegades would have to beat Mariners by 17 points to ensure they regained the trophy.  This was to prove a step too far for the Renegades who could only manage a 3-3 draw against the hardworking and battling seamen.  Neil McGuiness and Andy Boyce scored penalty kicks for each team respectively. 

At the end of the day, Police secured the first piece of silver wear for the season with 2 wins and a draw.  Congratulations to the Police for their victory and best of luck to all teams for the upcoming season. 

Round 1 of the ladies tournament saw Renegades take on Teachers and Mariners take on Police.  Renegades ran out eventual winners over a much improved and stuffy Teachers outfit 3-0, with tries from Melissa “speedy” Field and Karen Peckett.  In the other match, Mariners ran out 2-1 winners, with tries from Gina Newson and Michelle “snake hips” Hicks.  Mika Tomita scored Police’s response.

Round 2 saw Police take on Renegades and Teachers take on Mariners.  Police had no answer for the pace of the Renegades, with Field again scoring twice and Jess Gilbert also crossing.  Tomita was again on the score sheet for Police.  This game saw Gilbert pick up a nasty looking knee injury and we wish her well in her recovery and for the rest of the season.  The other match of round 2 was played out in a draw,  with Katy Wright scoring for Teachers and Gina Newson adding to her tally for the day by crossing for Mariners.

The final round ensured the winners of the cup would come from either Mariners or Renegades.  But up first was Teachers vs Police.  Teachers ran out eventual winners 4-0, with Wright scoring an impressive hattrick and Marie Pierre also crossing.  This was a much changed display from the Teachers ladies who will give all the teams a competitive game this season.  The final match saw Mariners take on old foes Renegades, with the winners taking home the trophy.  Mariners took the lead in the first half with a try from Deneka Borden.  With both sets of girls looking tired, it looked as if Mariners were going to hold out for the victory until Ruth Boo Leston dived over in the final minute to ensure Renegades snatched a draw and took home the trophy.  All sets of girls should be proud of their displays, and with increased numbers across all the teams this season, the season looks like being a close one!

A big thanks also goes out to Sandy’s Boat Club for their sponsorship of the tournament, and their catering, both pitch side and after the event, hosting a BBQ and drinks over looking Mangrove Bay. 

The next round of games will be on September 25^th, with Renegades taking on Police (2pm KO) and the Teachers taking on Mariners in the Preisdents Cup at 3:30pm.  The ladies touch games will kick off at 1pm, mirroring the mens fixtures.  If anyone wants to find out more about the fixtures for the upcoming season, or wants to get involved in either playing or supporting rugby in Bermuda in general, please contact Ian Henderson at [email protected].