Campion and Calabar Set For RLJ/Flash Ship U19 Rugby League Finals.

Campion College U19s

Kingston, Jamaica – The stage is set for an exciting finale as defending champions Calabar High School face Campion College in the Rugby League Jamaica/Flash Ship Couriers National U19 High School Championship final today (Friday, Jan. 23) at Campion. Calabar are aiming to secure their fourth hold on the title, while a victory for Campion would deliver their second championship crown.

The Grand Final will be preceded by the 3rd Place Play-off between Jose Marti High School and St. George’s College, scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Both finalists were pushed to their limits in Tuesday’s Semi-Finals, also hosted at Campion College.

Calabar High U19s

Campion secured their spot with a dramatic 26–22 sudden-death victory over a strong St. Georges team. Nathaniel Cahill led Campion with 12 points from three tries, while Saquani McKenn top-scored for St. George’s with two tries for eight points. With the scores tied at 22–22 in extra time, veteran forward Joshua Brandon broke free down the left edge to score the decisive try.

In the second Semi-Final, Calabar trailed 6–8 at halftime against Jose Marti. However, a high-scoring final 20 minutes saw the defending champions surge to a 26–20 win. Derone Plummer delivered a standout performance with 18 points from three tries and three goals. Humphrey Barriffe led Jose Marti with two tries for eight points.

Campion head coach Andrew Dixon acknowledged that his team fell short of their fitness expectations in the Semi-Finals but expressed confidence ahead of today’s showdown. “For the finals, I think we are evenly matched with Calabar, and if we turn up and follow instructions, we should be victorious. We were overconfident in the semis and underestimated St. George’s. Our fitness was not where it ought to be, but we are fully prepared for today.”

Meanwhile, Calabar’s head coach Oshane Edie credited his team’s discipline and structure for their run to the finals. “We were really challenged in that semi-finals but as they have done all season, the lads stuck to our systems and gave it their all. Credit to Jose Marti, who were strong on the edges and earned their points. Today, we will look exploit our opportunities in the middle and maintain a tight defensive line, if we can do this, we can hold on to the title.”

Since Championship became a 13-a-side competition in 2011, Calabar has been to 4 previous finals (2011, 2012, 2017 and 2024) , losing only in 2012. Meanwhile Campion has a 1-1 record from their previous two finals appearance in 2013 and has been to two finals, losing in 2013 and 2019.