File photo (Dragons vs JDF)
Rugby League Jamaica’s 18th National Club Championship (NCC) kicked off on Saturday, May 4th, with six of eight teams in action. Vying for supremacy are defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks, Liguanea Dragons, Washington Blvd. Bulls, Jamaica Defence Force Warriors, West Kingston Hyenas, Portmore Rugby League, St Catherine Old Boys Thundercats, and newcomers, St. Bess Sledgehammers.
All teams play each other in round robin format, they will then be ranked one to eight, and placed in two groups of four (Top 4 and Bottom 4). In their two groups, there will be a second-round robin, with the three highest ranked from the Top 4 heading to the semi-finals. The lowest ranked Top 4 team will face the winner of the Bottom 4 for the final semi-final. The Grand Final is scheduled for September 28th at Mona Bowl, Kingston.
Hyenas 14 def. Thundercats 12
In the opening match played at Up Park Camp, Hyenas edged Thundercats 14-10, courtesy of tries from Andrew Hylton, Dwayne James, and Omar Jones, with Damar Mckoy kicking a goal. Craig White and Odane Christy responded with tries for the losers, with Ahmeeiake Miller kicking a goal.
Red Sharks 18 def. JDF 16
In the second match at Up Park Camp, Red Sharks had to rally from behind to edge the Army men. Their tries came from Kevin Thomas (2) and Oneil Thompson, while Ryan Grant kicked 3 goals. JDF’s tries came from former national player Steve Miller (2) and Demar Williams, with Romell Flemming kicking 2 goals.
Dragons 54 def. Portmore 30
In the lone game at the Cedar Grove Academy, visitors Dragons were in top form, scoring 7 tries. National player Hakeem Richards, on loan from Bulls, grabbed a hattrick, Alexander Grant and Shawayne Collins each bagged a pair, while Joseph Mitchell and Romario Bartley had one each. Scrum Half Adrian Hall, led all comers with 14 points from 7 goals. Portmore’s tries came from Antonio Baker (3), Shamar Nugent (2) and Melvin Harris (1), while Nathan Brown was handy with 10 points from 5 goals.
The match between Bulls and Sledgehammers was rescheduled. The competition continues May 11, with three matches at Mona Bowl. Starting at 1pm, JDF faces Portmore, followed by Bulls versus Hyenas, and at 4:00pm, Dragon’s face-off with Thundercats. In the final match of round 2, Red Sharks travel to St Elizabeth to face Sledgehammers at the BB Coke High School, kick-off is scheduled for 2:00pm.
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