Dragons Maintain Championship Pace as Thundercats Secure Big Win in Round Eight

Andre Lee-Liguanea Dragons hitman has 28 points in NCC to date.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — July 20, 2026 — The St. Catherine Thundercats produced a commanding attacking display, while the Liguanea Dragons survived a late challenge from the Duhaney Park Red Sharks as Round Eight of the 2026 Rugby League Jamaica National Club Championship (NCC) unfolded at the Cedar Grove Sports Complex on Saturday.

The round featured two completed fixtures, with the scheduled clash between the JDF Warriors and Washington Boulevard Bulls not played after the Bulls forfeited the match.

Thundercats Dominate Hyenas

St. Catherine Thundercats continued their push toward the top of the NCC standings with an impressive 40-6 victory over the West Kingston Hyenas, producing one of their most complete performances of the season.

The Thundercats scored eight tries and controlled the contest from the opening whistle, with a balanced attacking effort that saw multiple players contribute on the scoreboard.

Fullback Racheed Pencle led the scoring with a try and three goals, while Tyreke Hutchinson crossed twice. Jaiden Blake, Linval Green, Damoy Palmer, Tahj-Jay Lynch, and Dominique Myers each added tries, with Brandon Barrett contributing a conversion.

The Hyenas’ lone response came through hooker Anthony Allen, who crossed for their only try of the match, while Errick Groves added the conversion. St Catherine’s defensive organisation limited West Kingston’s attacking opportunities throughout the contest, allowing the Thundercats to secure an important victory that lifts them to seven points on the league table.

With both St Catherine and West Kingston now sitting on seven points, the Thundercats move from fifth to fourth place, overtaking the Hyenas on points difference. St Catherine holds a –8 differential, significantly stronger than West Kingston’s –104, giving the Thundercats the edge in the standings.

Thundercats captain coach Tahj-Jay Lynch praised his side's intensity throughout the contest."We spoke before the game about setting the standard from the opening whistle, and I thought the players responded brilliantly. Our attack was clinical, but I was equally pleased with our defensive effort. It's an important two points, but we know there's still work to do."Hyenas head coach Robert Hawes admitted his team was second best."Full credit to St. Catherine—they were outstanding. We made too many errors and couldn't build any momentum. The effort was there, but we have to be more disciplined and execute better if we're going to compete with the top teams."

Squads

St. Catherine Thundercats: Racheed Pencle at fullback; wings Brandon Barrett and Jaiden Blake; centres Romeish Smith and Tyreke Hutchinson; halves Linval Green and Ronaldeni Fraser; props Aldane Eccleston and Joseph Daley; hooker Michael Gray; second-rowers Damoy Palmer and Tahj-Jay Lynch; lock Shevaughn Smith. Interchange players were Dominique Myers, Lyndel Thrue, Shade Whyte, Mark Thomas and Shadre Dixon.

West Kingston Hyenas: Oshane Francis at fullback; wings Khallis Spaulding and Jermaine Reid; centres Kemo Mitchell and Damar McKoy; halves Nicholas Topey and Clive Henry; props Shemar Rowe and Errick Groves; hooker Anthony Allen; second-rowers Shaqaune Francis and Stronglion Kirington; lock Ray J Thomas. Interchange players were Keshane Orane, Dean Hunter and Phillip Rowe.

Dragons Hold Off Redsharks to Preserve Perfect Record

Despite missing regular play makers Adrian Hall and Michael Pearson, competition leaders Liguanea Dragons maintained their unbeaten record with a hard-fought 18-16 victory over the Duhaney Park Red Sharks in the match of the round.

In a fiercely contested encounter between the Championship's top sides, the Dragons showed composure under pressure to withstand a spirited second-half comeback from the Redsharks and secure their seventh victory of the season.

Fullback Demario Sappleton, hooker Akeem Kitson, and second-rower Hakeem Richards each crossed for tries, while Andre Lee added two conversions and Shevaune Campbell kicked a crucial goal to guide the Dragons to victory.

The Red Sharks refused to back down, with Alex Williamson, Oniel Williams, Joseph Shae, and Shaqueil Pollack each crossing the try line. Adrian Thomas added two conversions as Duhaney Park closed the deficit late in the contest, but the Dragons' disciplined defence held firm to preserve the win.

The result extended Liguanea's lead at the top of the National Club Championship standings to 15 points. Meanwhile, the Duhaney Park Red Sharks slipped to third place on nine points.

Liguanea head coach Donovan Jackson credited his team's composure in a high-pressure contest."We knew it was going to be a tough battle against a quality Redsharks side. The players stayed composed when the momentum shifted and found a way to get the job done. Good teams know how to win close games, and that's exactly what we did today."Red Sharks head coach Jason Gooden took positives despite the narrow defeat.

"I have mixed feelings, on one hand I'm very disappointed with the result, but proud of the fight we put up. Disappointed because we were too indisciplined at time, copping three yellow cards is unacceptable. We gave away too many penalties which cost us in the end. We did defend our red zone well at times, but all credit to a deserving Dragons outfit."

Squads

Duhaney Park Red Sharks: Alex Williamson at fullback; wings Adrian Thomas and Tavel Boodie; centres Andrew Simpson and Oniel Williams; halves Joseph Shae and Chevaughn Bailey; props Ajani Harrison and Luke Elliott; hooker Akeem Murray; second-rowers Shaqueil Pollack and Amouri Abendigo; lock Daniel Barnett. Interchange players were Tajhai Maitland, Kyjah Davis, Weston Williams, Joseph Rochester and Shamoy Stewart.

Liguanea Dragons: Demario Sappleton at fullback; wings Andre Lee and Maliq Morris; centres Shevaune Campbell and Kamarine Williams; halves David Williams and Akeel George; props Rohan Dwyer and Shemar Nugent; hooker Akeem Kitson; second-rowers Romario Bartley and Hakeem Richards; lock Rascheem Kitson. Interchange players were Antonio Baker, Khalil Hunter, Jon Marc Jackson and Tyrell Thomas.

JDF Awarded Points Over Bulls

The scheduled Round Eight fixture between the JDF Warriors and Washington Boulevard Bulls was awarded to the Warriors after the Bulls forfeited due to insufficient player numbers. In accordance with National Club Championship competition regulations, the JDF Warriors received a 30-0 victory and the full two competition points.

JDF coach Roydell Reid acknowledged the unusual circumstances."Obviously we'd rather earn the points on the field, but we'll take the result and remain focused on preparing for the final rounds of the season."

Washington Boulevard Bulls head coach Oshane Edie expressed disappointment over the forfeiture."It's unfortunate we couldn't fulfil the fixture. The effects of at least ten players defecting or being poached by other clubs since last year has finally caught up with us. We picked up some injuries last week and unfortunately that compromised us for this round, but we hope to regroup for next week."

With only two rounds remaining in the regular season, the race for playoff positioning continues to intensify. The Liguanea Dragons remain firmly in control at the top of the standings with 15 points. The JDF Warriors and Duhaney Park Red Sharks are level on nine points, with the Warriors occupying second place on points difference (+103) ahead of the Red Sharks (+100). The St. Catherine Thundercats, West Kingston Hyenas and Washington Boulevard Bulls round out the standings as they continue their push for postseason positioning.