Photos/Videos: Paul Marsden Memorial Rugby

January 20, 2013

The 7th annual Paul Marsden Memorial Rugby game took place this Saturday [Jan 19] at National Sports Complex. The game is held in memory of Police Constable Paul Marsden, who tragically died on the rugby field while playing rugby for the Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club on 22nd January 2006.

His death was attributed to an unknown pre-existing heart condition, and this year the Bermuda Heart Foundation partnered with the Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club to support this annual event in an effort to raise heart health awareness.

The Teachers and Renegades took to the field first in Men’s Division action, with the Renegades defeating the Teachers in the match 26 – 14. Jahan Cedenio scored two tries, while Phil Hall added a penalty. Ian Henderson had a try, Conversion, Penalty and Drop Kick in the game. The Teachers got tries from Antonio Perinchief-Leader and Andrew Hooks, while Andrew Miles kicked 2 conversions.

Christine Rickard scored 2 tries to lead the Teachers Ladies to a 3 – 1 win over the Renegades Ladies 3 – 1, Helen McHugh scored the other try for the Teachers, while Jess Gilbert scored the lone try for the Renegades Ladies.

The Police and Mariners then marked the seventh annual Paul Marsden Memorial game with a minute of silence. Once the match started Police got the early upper hand as Paul Davis stamped his authority on the game with some clever support play and expert finishing to score the first try after strong break through the centers by David Pringle giving the Police the lead 5 – 0, but the conversion was missed by Mike Kane.

Police continued to control the play and it eventually led to more indiscipline by Mariners, a penalty in front of posts was awarded to Police after Paul Canfield’s strong run ended with penalty at break down. Kane kicked the penalty for a 8 – 0 lead 10 minutes into the game.

Minutes later the Mariners fought back with Dustin Archibald scoring a try, but the conversion was missed as the score remained 8 – 5.

Police stuck back immediately with a good kick and chase by Ralshon Douglas saw a penalty awarded and Kane chipped it over from close to extend the Police lead to 11 – 5.

More slick handling and attacking with pace outside saw Davis scamper over for his second try of the game and Kane converted as the Police held a 18 – 5 lead at the half.

Some lovely interplay out wide saw Durnferd Davis extend the lead with a well work try, but Kane sliced conversion leaving the score at 23 – 5 lead.

A strong run by Police prop Peter Kieran set up a long range attack out wide which eventually was finished off with a swan dive by Davis for his third Try of the day and when Kane knocked over the difficult conversion the Police took a commanding 30 – 5.

After an evenly contested 20 minutes Police captain Tommy Edwards cleverly dummied a wide pass and cut sharply back inside to catch the Mariners flat footed. Edwards sprinted in to finish the Police scoring for the day with Kane knocking over the easy conversion for a dominating 37-5 lead.

Mariners lead by David Rorke and Allen Thomas fought valiantly to the end and were rewarded with a late consolation try and the conversion was missed as the Police won the Paul Mardsen Memorial match by a final score of 37-10.

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