Teachers win feisty clash

Teachers ran out deserved 23-0 winners against Renegades in an ugly men’s rugby match marred by questionable sportsmanship and indiscipline.

Teachers drew first blood with a solid push-over try by their versatile forward Tashon Desilva, with the conversion missed by Shauntino Simons.

Teachers kept the pressure up and Simons extended the Reds’ lead with a well-struck penalty in blustery conditions.

Teachers continued to play the conditions well and a speculative  long kick and chase by winger David “Kwame” McHugh saw the ball take an awkward bounce, leaving the Renegades winger flat footed. McHugh could barely contain his surprise as he placed the ball over the line. Simons’ form with the boot continued and he knocked over the conversion for a 15-0 lead.

Renegades’ forwards  were repeatedly repelled and tempers began to fray as the stalemate continued. Connor McGlynn was sin-binned for repeated infringements, while  Teachers’ Bobby Hurdle was also given 10 minutes on the sidelines to reflect on an ill-advised punch.

Simons extended the Reds’ lead to 18-0 with another well-struck penalty but tempers flared again and Desilva was caught swinging a flagrant punch   in apparent retaliation. He was yellow-carded but Renegades could not capitalize on the one-man advantage. Teachers scored the last try of the game through Patrick Richardson.

Mariners impress

In the second game, the 37-19 scoreline flattered Police in their win over Mariners, who had no fewer than five Under-19 players in their line-up.

Mariners’ combination  of experience and pace was evident with their first try. Quick ball from a set-piece saw standoff Kamel Easton draw in the defence before releasing his outside centre with a lovely missed pass.

The surging attack was recycled and a bull-dozing run by Ed Barnes saw the big man offload nicely to veteran Keith Hodgkins, who drove over. Rory Dublin narrowly missed the difficult conversion.

It was a wake-up call for the Police and Adam Richards scored a fine captain’s try by finishing off several recycles with a strong drive. The conversion was missed but the scores were now tied.

The try of the game came from a clinical counter-attack by Police. Ronan Kane  and Paul Davis combined nicely to release Patrick Graham, who expertly finished the move with a fine try in honour of his recently-departed father. 

Dan Cole then danced in from 20 yards out and the Police were 15-5 up.

But back came Mariners through young rookie sensation Chakote Wainwright with a scintillating riposte. Collecting the ball off a lazy clearance, he backed himself with a great individual run down the blind side. Dublin knocked over the easy conversion and Mariners were back in the game at 15-12.

After the break, Wainwright continued where he left off with another try and  Dublin’s conversion saw the Mariners regain the lead at 19-15. 

Police, however, maintained their composure.

And after some sustained pressure saw Mariners give up a kickable penalty, Mike Kane closed the gap to 19-18 with a fine long-range effort. 

Police regained the lead after a strong run and try from Ronan Kane. The conversion was missed but the important fourth try insured a bonus point.

Cobus Vermaak and Guerhardt Lamprecht added further tries, both converted by Mike Kane.