Police Win Men’s Rugby League
[Written by Ian Henderson] On a bright and sunny day at National Stadium, the Bermuda Rugby Football league action came to a close for the season with two teams, Police and Teachers, both in a position to win the league. Police had a one point lead in the league going into the final round of matches and Teachers were determined to hold onto their title.
In a prelude to the main event, Teachers ladies continued their fine form with a 4 – 2 victory over the Police ladies. Teachers scored tries through Katie Wright (2), Amber Karaz and Kim Spencer. Julia Mansfield and Mika Tomita replied for Police. Final score: 4 v 2
In other ladies game, an impressive Mariners display held the Renegades girls to a one all draw. With the game scoreless at half time, Nicky Jones raced away for an interception try early in the second half. However the remainder of the half was to belong to Mariners as they continually applied pressure to the goal line of the league champions and we duly rewarded when Neeks Borden touched down. The Mariners tails were up and were unlucky not to add to their tally as they continued to enjoy both possession and possession. Final score: 1 v 1
The first mens game was a basement battle as Mariners took on Renegades. With Renegades having beaten the seamen twice this year, Mariners were keen to ensure the head-to-head battles between the two teams was equal. In a highly entertaining and open match, Mariners scored 7 tries through Lochlan Armour, Chris Furbert (2), Soniko Thomas (2), Alan Staynor and the rampaging Dave Rourke. Armour added 3 conversions for Mariners. Renegades would score two tries of their own through Tom Kelly and Tony Vakula, with Phill Hall adding the remainder of the black and whites points with the boot. The game was however over shadowed when Tom Healy (Renegades) and Andy Boyce (Mariners) were both shown red cards following an altercation early into the match. Final score: 41 vs 26 (to Mariners)
The main event kicked off in front of one of the most spectacular crowds of the season at National Stadium. Although Police played with the wind in the first half, Teachers were quick out the blocks and took the lead through an uncoverted try by Shauntino Simmons as he scampered down the left wing. From the kick off, Police worked their way back into the game and were on the score board with a Dan Cole penalty following an infringement by Teachers in front of their own posts. Cole would soon have another opportunity to add to his tally but a second penalty attempt proved unsuccessful. The boys in blue would not have to wait long though before their next scoring opportunity came as Cole would add a further 2 penalties before half time to give Police a 9-5 lead at half time.
With the wind at their backs and their league title on the line, Teachers knew they would have to improve on their first half performance. However it was Police who would have the first scoring opportunity of the second half through an unsuccessful Cole penalty. Teachers knew they couldn’t afford to give Police scoring opportunities and that the next score could prove vital and it came from the defending champions from a good catch and drive following a lineout close to the Police goal line.
A strong start to the second half seemed to encourage Police to continue to attack and through some enterprising back play and offloading out of the tackle lead to Dave Pringle cutting his way through the Teachers defence for Police’s first try of the afternoon. Pringle would prove to be unsuccessful in attempting to convert his own try.
Going into the final few minutes, Police were in the lead 14 – 10 with the league title on the line. And it would be them who would kill off the game through a try from Dunferd David in the right hand corner following a jinking run down the wing and side-stepping the fullback. Pringle would be on target to give Police a 21-10 lead. With time running out, Teachers were unable to add to their points tally as Police held on to secure their first league title since the early 1990’s. Congratulations to the Police Rugby Football Club, who without doubt proved they were the best team throughout the season, winning the most games, scoring the most tries and scoring the most points.
With the league action now over, attention turns to the Renegades Founders Day this Saturday (March 12th), followed by the Nicol Shield semi finals on Thursday March 17th and the finals on March 31st.
