Mariners stun Renegades

A bolstered Mariners side shocked Renegades 29-21 in the upset of the Bermuda rugby season at the National Sports Centre.

The Mariners enjoyed the return of several of their young up-and-coming under-19 national team players, who were back from a successful trip to the Las Vegas Sevens. 

They also had the inspiring presence of former National team and West Indian player Dan McGavern, who was back on the island for his father’s funeral. Ian “Dundee” McGavern was a familiar sight on the Mariners sidelines during the late nineties and he was very proud of his son Dan’s representation of Mariners and Bermuda rugby.

From the kick-off Mariners set the tone and prop Ed Barnes drove over for a try to open the scoring. Rory Dublin kicked the easy conversion to give the perennial whipping boys an early 7–0 lead.

However, it appeared the same old story was going to play out when Renegades responded with a 20-minute display of controlled, beautiful rugby and ran in three tries in succession through Jahan Cedinio, John Quigley and Tom Healy. 

Greg Garside unerringly slotted over all three conversions and the Renegades appeared to be coasting to victory 21-5 ahead.

Mariners, though, showed their fortitude. McGavern closed the gap with a fine try and then the CrossFit fanatic dragged several players over the line from 10 yards out to score near the posts.

When Dublin knocked over the conversion to close it to 21-19 the crowd sensed an upset on the cards. Then a penalty inside their own 22 metres saw a cool effort by Dublin sail over for the Mariners first lead of the day at 22-21.  

Mariners’ captain Steve Husband clinched the win when he powerfully ran over. Kamel Easton converted and Mariners recorded their first league win of the season.

Leaders fight back

In the opening match, league leaders Police salvaged a 12-12 draw against a feisty Teachers squad. Teachers showed their intentions early with a quick lineout and shifted the ball wide to their up-and-coming flyer Patrick Richardson, who showed good finishing skills to open the scoring. 

Teachers again found a chink in the blue defence when a breakaway try by Cory Boyce gave them a 12-0 lead. Police were shocked into action and began to go through their phases. 

Dan Cole tried to slip the ball inside to the supporting Ronan Kane and the ankle level pass was deftly chipped ahead by Kane, who then showed his pace by outstripping the cover to score. Tommy Edwards missed the conversion. 

In the second half, Police centre Paul Davis pounced from close for a converted try to tie the game up.

In the Ladies’ Division, Police defeated Teachers 1-0 thanks to a Mika Tomita try, while the Mariners  defeated Renegades 2-1. Dennika Borden scored twice for Mariners, while Amy McGlynn went over for Renegades.

Match reports supplied.