There were two major surprise results from Round 3 of the National Club Championship (NCC) over the weekend. On Saturday at the UWI Mona Bowl, the Liguanea Dragons upset the Jamaica Defence Force Warriors 22-20 in a close encounter.
The JDF were first off the mark when winger Ricardo Groves scored the game’s first try after 7 minutes. Groves found the try line again at the 12 minute mark and Roland Gray kicked the conversion for a 10-0 lead. However, Liguanea pegged them back just before the half with two unconverted tries of their own from O’Dayne Edwards.
At the start of the second half, JDF’s powerful prop Shaneal Brown bullied his way over the try line to push his team in front, 14-8. Liguanea responded in the 60th minute when substitute Raschin Samuels scored under the sticks. Frenchman Martin Flajohet then kicked the conversion to tie the game at 14 apiece. Liguanea took a 16-14 lead moments later when Flajohet slotted home a penalty kick for a high tackle. JDF thought they had it won on 70 minutes when Edgar Herbine barged his way over for a try and Nickolai Kennedy kicked the extra two points. However, Liguanea rallied in the dying moments and veteran Andrew Dixon sneaked in for the winner on minute 76th on the right edge, Flajohet again kicking the goal for 2 additional points for the 22-20 upset.
In the day’s second game, GC Fsoster Angels made light work of Spanish Town Vikings with a dominant 66-6 win. National Player Adrian Thomas led GC’s charge with 12 points from 3 tries. He was supported by Antonio Baker and Dylan Davis with two tires each. Meanwhile, Kevin Thomas, Dellon Thomas, Tajay Myles and Oshane Francis all scored one apiece. Teenager Maurice Morant scored the Vikings lone try with Captain Raheem Sweeney kicking the conversion.
The final game of the round was played on Sunday at the Duhaney Park Mini Stadium. Upstarts Washington Blvd. Bulls scored their first ever victory over the reigning national champions Duhaney Park, with a 24-10 wins. Center Shaquille Pollack led the Bulls with 8 points from 2 tries. He got support from Orlando Messado, Daniel Morrison and Jevaughn Lewis, each with a try, while prop Mohenjo Thompson slotted two goal kicks.
Round 4 continues Saturday, July 6.