June 7, 2022
Community club rugby league returned to Jamaica for the first time in over two years with the playing of the Rugby League Jamaica Summer 9s at the Cedar Grove Academy on Saturday. Nine community teams participated, and Washington Blvd Bulls came out winners with a hard fought 8-6 win over West Kingston Hyenas in the finals.
The tournament saw two new teams make their rugby league debut, Portmore Rugby League Club and Young Crocs Academy. Young Crocs made it all the way to the main draw Semis before losing to the Hyenas 1-24, meanwhile, Portmore did themselves proud by advancing to the consolidation Semis before losing to Duhaney Park 16-18.
The other teams in the tournament were Liguanea Dragons who lost 8-20 in the consolidation Semis and St Bess Sledgehammers who lost 6-16 in the main draw Semis to the Bulls.
In the consolidation bracket finals Duhaney Park Redsharks edged the Jamaica Defence Force Warriors 18-14.
Commenting on the restart of domestic club rugby league Director of Rugby Romeo Monteith said: "The rugby league family is overjoyed to return to community play, this game means a lot for the physical and mental wellbeing of so many and it is good to be back playing.
"It was a great turnout of community teams; match officials and fans and we hope to build on this momentum as we look to launch our National Club Championship on June 6."