League action returned at the weekend with the Renegades ladies team retaining their title while the Teachers men defeated nearest rivals, Renegades, to virtually assure themselves of the title.

Renegades secured another league title when they overcame Teachers 12-2 in torrential rain, with conditions at National Sports Centre deteriorating as the day wore on. It was another emphatic performance from the truly deserving champions, and the writing was on the wall after pushing ahead five-nil at half time. Tries came from Laura Haynes (2), Karen Peckett, Gemma O'Brien and Melissa Field.

In the second half Field scored two more tries, Ruth Leston added two, with Nicola Jones, Amy Harvey and Sue Rebello adding one apiece for the dominant 'Gades. Rachel McLoughlin and Marie-Pierre Beaudoin scored the replies for the Teachers.

The match between Renegades and Teachers men was trench warfare as both teams attempted to adapt to the awful weather conditions. With so much at stake, neither side gave an inch as they both hammered away at each other.

Scott Cobon provided it for Teachers when he brilliantly charged down an attempted clearance to dive on the ball over the line. The conversion was missed and the teams went in with Teachers hanging on to a narrow five-nil lead.

Both sides were creating space but for a while it looked like neither would add to the score. Finally, Renegades managed to breach the highly impressive Teachers defence when a quick penalty and quick ruck ball sent Darragh O'Donoghue over in the corner.

The conversion was missed but it was game on. Both sides pressed but the winning score came from a moment of magic produced by Bobby Hurdle.

A missed conversion left the final score 10-5, and Teachers were visibly ecstatic with the triumph. Though still mathematically possible for Renegades to catch them, it is highly unlikely.

Mariners ladies kicked off the day with an impressive 12-4 win over the Police, though they only led three-nil at the break as Police were very much keeping it a tight affair.

Tries from Amanda Maenpaa, Laryssa Yuel and Abbey MacPherson had Mariners in front. Both sides created some impressive scores in the second half, although unfortunately for the Police ladies more were against them than for them.

MacPherson added four tries, Maenpaa added two for her hattrick, Yuel grabbed her second and Vanessa Toet and Amy Wolfinger both scored one for the ladies in green. Impressive speedster Julia Mansfield scored a hat trick for the Police ladies, after Saphia Tonkin had scored their only other try.

The first men's match pitted Mariners against Police as both teams fielded without a number of injured players. Mariners got off to the worst possible start as Durnferd Davis, once again putting in a barnstorming performance, ran a beautiful line to ghost through the static defense within two minutes of the kick-off. Mariners responded well and Mark Pomeroy slotted a penalty after an infringement close to the try line.

Mariners came more and more into the game and Gary Brady popped out of contact to his onrushing captain Rich Brown who powered through for an unstoppable try. Pomeroy converted to leave the Mariners 10-5 to the good. The game ended 22-13 to Mariners.