Mariners 12 Teachers 17

With the wind at their backs, Teachers enjoyed first half success in the day?s first encounter.

Andre Simons opened the scoring after about 15 minutes of back and forth play with a successful penalty kick from 30 metres out. And Teachers extended their lead after a kick and chase saw winger Kurt Leibel pressure Mariners full back Keith Hodgkins into an errant pass which was collected by fly half Graeme Ferguson. He fed centre Warren Clifford who scored under the posts.

Simons? conversion brought the score to 10-0.

Mariners continued to put pressure on the Reds with inspired play from captain Josh McGavern and number eight James Bergl. However, they were unable to capitalise on their one-man advantage after the sin binning of Teachers? second row Bobby Hurdle.

When Teachers returned to full strength, second row Kevin Walsh stole a Mariners line-out throw. The ball was passed through the forwards and handed to Ferguson who beat two defenders to score. Another Simons? conversion left the half-time score at 17?0.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the ball flowing from end of the field to the other but Teachers will have been upset with themselves for not capitalising on the majority of possession and territorial advantage.

And they were made to pay when a play that began with a Mariners line-out in their own half saw McGavern recycle the ball to storming second row Paul Clarke who rumbled for 25 metres before being caught by the Reds defence. The ensuing maul saw Bergl emerge with the ball and score in the left corner from 10 metres.

Hodgkins? missed conversion kept the score at 17?5.

Teachers struck back quickly and were unlucky not to extend their lead. Play that began on their own 22 metre line ended with a fine over-the-shoulder pass from Harry Andrews to Ferguson who was through to score only to have the try disallowed as Andrews? pass was judged to be forward.

Soon afterwards, an attempted chip through by Ferguson was intercepted by McGavern who fed prop forward Rob Baker. His 30 metre dash saw him run over and through a scrambling Reds defence to score under the posts. Hodgkins? successful conversion brought Mariners within five points at 17?12. However, time ran out on the boys in green as the final whistle saw Teachers come away with the victory.

This weekend will see league play continuing with second team 10-a-side rugby on Friday night at BAA and then Sunday afternoon rugby at the National Sports Centre North Field.

Teachers will try and end Renegades unbeaten streak at 2 p.m., while Police and Mariners will both be trying to get back to winning ways at 3.30 p.m.