Police thrashed Mariners 42-12 on Saturday to open up a two-point gap at the top of the Men’s Division.

John Stathakis, Tommy Edwards, and Roedolf Van der Westhuizen scored two tries apiece for Police, with 12 points coming from the boot of Dan Cole, who kicked two penalty goals, and converted three tries.

Ian Frith scored both of Mariners’ tries, with Rory Dublin converting the second.

Stathakis, the scrum half, got Police off to the best possible start when he broke from the back of a scrum that Police won against the head, and crossed for the opening score. Edwards, the Police captain, got his first soon after, Cole converted, and Police built a lead they never looked like losing.

Still, Mariners briefly got themselves back into the game at 12-5, when Frith touched down after a strong rolling maul and succession of missed tackles, but that was as close as his side got.

Cole kicked a penalty, Edwards grabbed his second and Police minds turned to bonus points and putting some breathing space between themselves and the rest of the league.

Renegades, the defending champions, will not relinquish their title easily, however, and a 36-24 win over Teachers keeps them right in the hunt.

Brian Archibald accounted for the majority of his side’s points, bagging a try and converting three of his side’s five scores, while also kicking a penalty goal. Jamie Baum, Conor McGlynn, John Quigley and Rich Cumbers also crossed for Renegades.

Teachers stayed close for much of the game, with Jahniko Francis scoring 14 of his sides points, with two tries and two conversions. Josh DeAllie and Marcus Simons scored the other Teachers’ tries.

There is little to chose between the top three in the league, however, with Police on 19 points, Renegades on 17, and Teachers on 14. Mariners have three points, and have yet to win a game nearly half way through the season.

In the women’s touch league, Teachers went top thanks to a 2-1 win over Renegades, with tries from Lauren Rothwell and Gillian Cross. Laura Mulligan grabbed Renegades’ lone score. Mariners, meanwhile, edged a close game against Police, winning 3-2.

Caroline Aberhart, Neeks Borden and Karly Alleyne scored for Mariners, with Police tries from Saphia Tomkin and Janie Nel.