2026 Women National Club Championship (WNCC) Rounds One and Two Round Up.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — July 11, 2026 

The inaugural rounds of the 2026 Rugby League Jamaica (RLJ) Women's National Club Championship produced a series of closely contested encounters as the Duhaney Park Redsharks /Washington Blvd Bulls combined team, JDF Warriors and St. Bess Sledgehammers all made positive starts to the competition at Up Park Camp.

Across the opening two rounds, defence proved the defining feature, with four of the six matches producing ten points or fewer as teams battled to establish early momentum in the competition.

Round One Summary- Jun 27, 2026, Up Park Camp

The championship opened with a tense 2-2 draw between the Redsharks/Bulls combined team and the JDF Warriors, with both sides unable to breach each other's defensive line for a try. Shanice Stewart converted a penalty goal for the combined team, while Ollene Francis replied in kind for the Warriors as the honours were shared in the competition's opening fixture.

Both teams struggled to crack the defensive line of the opponent, an issue compound by handling errors and a genuine lack of invention by the play makers. This was not surprising as the players have had a long lay off from full contact rugby league, having last played a game in 2025.

Squads

Redshark/Bulls combined: Amelia Hibbert at fullback; wings Shavolee Cooke and Antonette Sinclair; centres Halcyon Reid and Jhanelle Blake; halves Carole Kelly and Tarja Richards; props Chanlloyd Blair and Asheekem Blair; hooker Alicia Richards; second-rowers Moesha Bogle and Mekala Haughton; lock Toriann Henry. Interchange: Shanice Stewart, Chavonne Fullerton, Debisha Scarlett and Ophellia Hunter.

JDF Warriors: Mackayla McCalla at fullback; wings Sherika Williams and Mikala Reid; centres Peta-Gaye Wilson and Onekey Swaby; halves Ollene Francis and Ashanti Waugh; props Monique Dixon and Rochelle Britton; hooker Natifah Barker; second-rowers Annesha Nash and Rianna Edwards.

St. Bess Sledgehammers recorded their first victory of the season with a hard-fought 4-0 win over the JDF Warriors. Prop Rickayla Rochester crossed for the game's only try as the Sledgehammers produced a disciplined defensive display to secure crucial competition points. The result was somewhat of a surprise, especially as the Hammers have a very youthful and inexpereinced squad. However, they displayed acute defensive tenacity throughout the contest which paid positive dividends.

Squads

JDF Warriors: Mackayla McCalla at fullback; wings Sherika Williams and Mikala Reid; centres Peta-Gaye Wilson and Onekey Swaby; halves Ollene Francis and Ashanti Waugh; props Monique Dixon and Annesha Nash; hooker Natifah Barker; second-rowers Rochelle Britton and Rianna Edwards.

St. Bess Sledgehammers: Dejonaye Cole at fullback; wings Yanique Dayes and Brianna Goss; centres Arianna Douglas and Briana Coley; halves Esther Ellis and Toriann Henry; props Rickayla Rochester and Samaia Sargent; hooker Talesha Russell; second-rower Dae-Marie Whyte.

The Redsharks/Bulls combined bounced back in style later in the round with an 8-0 victory over the St. Bess Sledgehammers. Debisha Scarlett crossed for the match's only try, while Shanice Stewart added two goals as the combined team maintained a clean sheet through an impressive defensive performance. The Sledgehammers cam close on several occasions but were thwarted by strong tackling and their own handling errors.

Squads

St. Bess Sledgehammers: Dejonaye Cole at fullback; wings Yanique Dayes and Briana Coley; centres Brianna Goss and Arianna Douglas; halves Esther Ellis and Toriann Henry; props Rickayla Rochester and Talesha Russell; hooker Samaia Sargent; second-rowers Dae-Marie Whyte and an unnamed No. 12; lock Moesha Bogle. Interchange: Halcyon Reid, Jhanelle Blake, Shavolee Cooke and Alicia Richards.

Redshark/Bulls combined: Shanice Stewart at fullback; wings Amelia Hibbert and Toriann Henry; centres Mekala Haughton and Carole Kelly; halves Ophellia Hunter and Tarja Richards; props Chanlloyd Blair and Debisha Scarlett; hooker Ameir Kinlock; second-rowers Asheekem Blair and Antonette Sinclair; lock Moesha Bogle. Interchange: Halcyon Reid, Jhanelle Blake, Shavolee Cooke and Alicia Richards.

Round Two, Jul 11, 2026, Up Park Camp

The JDF Warriors opened Round Two with a determined 4-0 victory over the Redshark/Bulls combined. Ollene Francis scored the match's only try as the Warriors avenged their Round One draw and handed the combined team their first defeat of the campaign. The game was close throughout with both teams having almost equal possession, however, the combined team, failed to capitalize on several chances, frequently dropping the ball as they went for points.

Coach Roydell Reid welcomed his side's response.

"The players showed tremendous discipline and patience. It was an important win against a quality opponent and gives us confidence moving forward."

Jason Gooden said his side would quickly regroup.

"It was a tough contest that could have gone either way, we need to focus more on retaining the ball and finishing outr opportunities when they come.

Squads

JDF Warriors: Kimberlee Smith at fullback; wings Onekey Swaby and Mikala Reid; centres Mackayla McCalla and Ashanti Waugh; halves Ollene Francis and Peta-Gaye Wilson; props Annesha Nash and Monique Dixon; hooker Natifah Barker; second-rowers Rianna Edwards and Marsell Williams; lock Shoya Gordon. Interchange: Rochelle Britton and Sherika Williams.

Redshark/Bulls combined: Shanice Stewart at fullback; wings Naomi Dodd ; centres Toriann Henry and Mekala Haughton; halves Tarja Richards and Antonette Sinclair; props Tihanna Lewinson and Chanlloyd Blair; hooker Alicia Richards; second-rowers Shavolee Cooke and Jhanelle Blake; lock Debisha Scarlett.

Redshark/Bulls combined and St. Bess Sledgehammers then shared the spoils in an entertaining 10-10 draw. St. Bess crossed first through Arianna Douglas and Zoey Williams, Rihanna Osbourne kicking a goal, while the Red Sharks responded with late with tries from Naomi Dodd and Tarja Richards in a match that remained in the balance until the final whistle. Sledgahammers dominance in the early stages of thebgame came as the biggest surprise, especially as they were short on numbers. However, they controlled the game for large swathes with deft set completions and a solid defensive work rate. The combined team was fustrated throughout, bombing chance after chance, their persistence paid off though as their offence sprung to life in the final three minutes, grabbing the scores they needed for a result.

Captain Talesha Russell praised her team's resilience.

"Our players competed for every minute and showed great determination despite being short on numbers. Sharing the points was a fair reflection of a very competitive contest."

Jason Gooden credited both teams.

"It was an excellent game of rugby league. We showed character to fight back and grab a share of the spoils by scoring a try on the last play.

Squads

St. Bess Sledgehammers: Dejonaye Cole at fullback; wings Yanique Dayes and Brianna Goss; centres Arianna Douglas and Briana Coley; halves Esther Ellis and Rickayla Rochester; props Talesha Russell and Dae-Marie Whyte; hooker Samaia Sargent; second-rowers Toriann Henry and Jhanelle Blake; lock Shavolee Cooke.

Redshark/Bulls combined: Shanice Stewart at fullback; wings Ophellia Hunter and an unnamed No. 5; centres Antonette Sinclair and Mekala Haughton; halves Naomi Dodd and Tarja Richards; props Tihanna Lewinson and Chanlloyd Blair; hooker Asheekem Blair; second-rowers Toriann Henry and Jhanelle Blake; lock Shavolee Cooke.

The final fixture of Round Two was awarded to the JDF Warriors after St. Bess Sledgehammers forfeited due to injuries, resulting in a 15-0 victory.

After two rounds, JDF ladies lead the table with five points, the combined team sits on four, and Sledgehammers are still in with a chance on three points. One final round is scheduled for Saturday, August 22nd, at Mona Bowl. The top two teams will advance to the finals scheduled for Saturday, September five, also at the Mona Bowl.