NCC Rd 3 Preview: Separating the Contenders from the Pretenders.

Shezraye Thompson - JDF Danger Man

The 2026 Rugby League Jamaica National Club Championship enters a pivotal and perhaps season defining Round 3 this Saturday at the Mona Bowl, with all six teams now having completed two matches. After two rounds, the competition is finely balanced, with the Liguanea Dragons standing as the lone unbeaten team while several title contenders look to build momentum.

With teams beginning to establish their identities, round 3 presents three intriguing contests that could significantly shape the early standings.

Washington Boulevard Bulls vs JDF Warriors

1:00 PM

The opening fixture features two teams searching for consistency after contrasting starts to the season.

The JDF Warriors opened their campaign with an impressive 40-28 victory over defending champions St. Catherine Thundercats but were brought back to earth in Round 2 with a narrow 12-7 loss to the Liguanea Dragons. Despite that defeat, the Warriors remain one of the competition's most potent attacking teams, having scored 47 points from eight tries in two matches.

Much of that attacking output has come from players such as Courtney Dennis, the irrepressible Shemar Burrell,and Raphael Lawrence. Without a doubt, the Warriors' physical forward pack continues to lay a strong platform. However, the Bulls need to be wary of danger men Shamarr Creary (backrow), Jerome Laird (fullback) and Steve Miller (halfback), three veteran national players quietly pulling the strings. Combined, they have over forty years of experience!

The Bulls, meanwhile, remain winless after losses to the Dragons and Hyenas. However, they have shown flashes of attacking promise, scoring three tries in their last game. Young talents Demario Monteith, Timarri Johnson, and Tevez Tulloch have all crossed for tries and are dangerous with ball in hand, while half Shaquille Drummond is always only a break away from blistering runs up field. 

Should veteran forwards Chevaun Smith, Sean Reid, Travis Tyrell, Julius Reid and Reardon Grant show on Saturday, this young Bulls outfit might be in with a chance to keep the score decent or even spring an unlikely surprise.

Defensively, however, the Bulls have struggled, conceding 68 points in 2 games, this will be a major area of concern for coach Oshane Edie. If they are to secure their first victory, they must tighten their defensive structure against a Warriors side capable of scoring quickly.

Key Match-Up: JDF's power game in the middle versus the Bulls' explosive backline.

Prediction: The Warriors enter as favourites but cannot afford to underestimate an energetic Bulls outfit eager to break into the winners' column.

St. Catherine Thundercats vs West Kingston Hyenas

2:45 PM

Ronaldeni Fraser with ball in hand

This matchup may be the most evenly balanced contest of the round.

After suffering a surprising opening-round defeat to the Warriors, the Thundercats responded strongly by upsetting the previously unbeaten Red Sharks 30-22. Their attack has produced a Championship leading  58 points from two matches, while their defence has conceded 62, an area they will be keen to improve. 

The Thundercats' points machine has been fueled so by Damoy Palmer, whose two-try performance against the Red Sharks proved decisive, along with contributions from Tah-Jay Lynch, Shevaughn Smith, Matthew Craig, and goal-kicker Ahmeeiqkie Miller. Surprisingly, perhaps the most dangerous backline player in Kahil Green, has not made an appearance so far the the Cats, should he show up, it might be the difference between a win or a loss.

Though this squad is replete with talented youngsters throughout, with an explosive backline and forwards carrying a punch, it seems some level of indiscipline has recently crept into the camp with the shock news that head coach Andrew Dixon, has stepped down, allegedly, due to poor player conduct. At the recent Division 2 finals, there was a public spat as coach Dixon attempted to make an interchange, and a young backline player refusing to leave the field.

Standing in their way are the Hyenas, who rebounded from a heavy Round 1 defeat to the Red Sharks with a composed 28-18 victory over the Bulls. The Hyenas have scored a respectable forty-six points  in two matches and possess several proven finishers.

Young Nicholas Topey has emerged as a key attacking weapon after scoring twice against the Bulls, while national representative Ricardo Richards remains one of the competition's most dangerous players. Veteran playmaker Andrew Hylton continues to provide leadership and direction around the park and watch out for forwards Stronglion Kirington, Theodore Walters and Shemar Rowe, all packing a punch. In their backline, Ray J Thomas and Kemo Mitchell adds significant firepower. Coach Robert Hawes might finally have found the formula to return this outfit to title contenders.

The battle between the Thundercats' improving attack and the Hyenas' experienced spine could determine the outcome.

Key Match-Up: Damoy Palmer and the Thundercats pack against the Hyenas' experienced middle unit led by Andrew Hylton.

Prediction: A genuine toss-up that could be decided by goal-kicking and discipline.

Duhaney Park Red Sharks vs Liguanea Dragons

4:30 PM

Akeem Kitson-Dragons

The feature game of the day pits two of the competition's most explosive attacking side against each other, the Dragons chasing the perfect 3-0 start, and the Redsharks looking to lay down a statement that they are still boss team of the NCC.

Despite their Round 2 loss to the Thundercats, the Red Sharks boasts a productive attack, scoring 56 points through two rounds. Their opening-round victory over the Hyenas showcased their attacking depth, with players such as Kyjah Davis, Tavel Boodie, and Adrian Thomas have consistently threatened opposition defences.

Thomas has been particularly influential, contributing both as a scorer and goal-kicker. Veteran half Marvin Thompson was lost to injury in week 1 with no return to play time announced. Powerful forward Kevin Thomas, brother of Adrian, has surprisingly defected to the Thundercats, but the Redsharks still pack a punch with young prop Oneil Williams and veteran Chawn Henry. The team was also boosted with the addition of experienced players Daniel Morrison and Shamoy Stewart, both defecting from Washington Bulls in the week leading up to the season opener.

The Dragons arrive with deserved confidence after back-to-back victories over the Bulls and Warriors. They too have proven to have a potent attacking punch, and they have been the competition's most disciplined defensive side, conceding a miserly 7 points in two games.

National winger Kamarine Williams has provided finishing ability out wide,while Adrian Hall's goal-kicking and the leadership of captain Michael Pearson have helped the Dragons close out contests. Veteran hooker Akeem Kitson has provided quality service to his forwards and has been a key defensive pillar. This team looks complete and professional for the first time in years.

Andre Lee defection from the Thundercats has given the Dragons additional strike power on the wings. Lee is full of pace and is a strong defensive player. Veteran forward Antonio “The Destroyer” Baker, is back to making braining storming runs and scoring tries off the interchange, another experienced forward Rohan Dwyer is back in the squad and there are enough youthful faces such Jasehmiah Tulloch and the talented Alexander Grant, bringing lots of energy to this outfit to make them genuine contenders, it seems.

This game presents a fascinating contrast in styles. The Red Sharks prefer a high-tempo, attack-oriented approach, while the Dragons have built their success on defensive resilience and patience.

Key Match-Up: The Red Sharks' attacking firepower against the Dragons' competition-best defence.

Prediction: Potentially the match of the season so far. If the Dragons can slow the pace and maintain defensive discipline, they can remain unbeaten. If the Red Sharks find early rhythm, their attacking depth could prove too much.

Round 3 Overall Outlook

With only two points separating first from last place, every result carries significant importance. The Dragons will look to protect their unbeaten record, the Warriors and Thundercats seek to strengthen their championship credentials, while the Bulls continue their search for a breakthrough victory.

By the end of Saturday's action, the championship picture should become much clearer as teams move from early-season promise to genuine title contention.