Ian Henderson's sudden death drop-goal gave Renegades a dramatic 16-13 win over Teachers in the Nicol Shield semi-finals.

The Renegades fly-half kept his legs when everyone about him was losing theirs to settle a thrilling encounter which could have gone either way.

Both sides had chances to win the game in normal time, with Teachers missing a vital conversion after Devrae Noel-Simmons' try had levelled the scores 13-13 with time running out.

Defeat would have been tough on Renegades who dominated for much of the first half.

However it was equally tough on a Teachers side, who without several regulars, battled back from 13-8 down at half time to nearly snatch it at the death.

Eoghan O'Dwyer gave Renegades the lead with a well taken penalty, and was on hand to score the game's first try soon after. A Darragh O'Donoghue coversion gave 'Gades a 10-0 lead and for a time it looked like they might run away with the tie.

Teachers got back into the game however when the ball squirted out of the back of a Renegades scrum close to their own line, and Rob Viera reacted quickest to pounce on the ball for his first try for Teachers.

The conversion was missed and O'Donoghue sent Renegades 13-5 ahead when he was on target with another penalty, with Greg Frasier responding in kind right at the end of the half, to leave it 13-8.

A fired-up Teachers side came out with all guns blazing in the second half and they eventually, wore down a resilient Renegades defence, with Noel-Simmons powering over in the corner to send the Teachers support into raptures. The conversion was missed and extra-time loomed.

Both teams opted for sensible rugby in extra time, not wanting to give anything to the opposition and so came sudden death.

Players from both sides were clearly exhausted as cramps became more and more frequent. Renegades worked the ball well into the Teachers 22 metre line, and Ian Henderson kicked a dramatic, fantastic drop goal to win it 16-13 for Renegades.

Renegades will now face Mariners in Saturday's final, after they overcame Police in another thrilling encounter.

Despite a first-half hat-trick from Mariners' Alun Thomas the men in green only had a three point lead after a see-saw opening.

The two sides traded tries with Adrian Van Der Merwe and Durnferd Davies scoring for Police either side of Thomas' first.

Mike Kane kept the Police in touch kicking both his side's conversions, while Mark Pomery could only make one from three for Mariners.

Gary Brady's try took Mariners further ahead after the break, but a Police try from John Jackson, which Kane again converted, reduced the deficit to just a point at 22-21.

In the end Pomeroy finally found his range and kicked a penalty ten minutes from time to eventually settle matters 25-21.

Mariners and Renegades will also battle it out in the final of the ladies Scully Cup.

Renegades, who are unbeaten all season beat Teachers 8-1, while Mariners beat Police 12-3 in the semi-finals.