Teachers 12 Police 19 Police pulled off a sensational victory on Sunday to win the Nichol Shield and deny Teachers what would have been a Grand Slam in both divisions of local rugby.

It was a win against all the odds after Police had lost every previous game to Teachers this season and it must surely have quelled concerns over the Police Club's rugby future.

Their forwards outrucked the normally dominant Teachers eight and played to their own strengths -- the old heads of Alan Oliver, Gareth Davies and the harassing back row of Sean Field-Lament and Dave Bird.

But without taking anything away from a deserved Police win, referee Dennis Dwyer was quite generous in favour of the Blues in his law interpretations, especially at the base of the scrum and rucks and mauls.

While is arguably the best referee in Bermuda, at the final whistle one was left wondering at the effect of his inconsistent one-sided application of certain laws of the game.

Even though this was obviously a popular win on the final weekend of the season and good for local rugby, every Teachers player and supporter was left scratching their heads in disbelief at some decisions that effectively ruined their enjoyment.

However, the game is bigger than a poorly refereed match and everyone in the Teachers camp will no doubt survive this setback.

After Police missed four kickable penalties early in the first half, it took Teachers 20 minutes to start the scoring.

Alvin Harvey crossed for Teachers after good support work by Mark Docherty following a Heath Robinson run.

Police were now taking some good lineout ball and Oliver was driving the Teachers back to their 22 metres.

A lineout drive on the Teachers try line saw Simon (Stubbie) Carruthers take the ball over to make it 5-5 at half-time.

A disputed try early in the second half by Dave Bird saw Police take a 12-5 lead. Bird had been allowed to pick the ball up at number eight near the Teachers' try line even though the scrum had clearly been wheeled, demanding that a new scrum be set.

But, it was Jonathon Varney who took the game beyond Teachers' reach with a well-taken try after full back Kevin Harris had been foiled by a bad bounce after an up-and-under.

With the score at 19-5 and 10 minutes to full-time, Teachers never gave up and dug deep. And Harris answered his critics when he produced a magical run from his own half to cross for a try and land the conversion.

Teachers 19 Mariners 7 The returning Ashley Redmond stole the honours in this epic Robin Hood Trophy final with two powerful tries for Teachers.

But Mariners could have taken the trophy had Ken Anderson been on form with the boot -- he missed four kicks at goal.

Scott Correia was once again the best player and saved Teachers time and again from a Mariners onslaught, clearing up loose balls and tackling ferociously.

Even though Mariners never gave up, the size of the Reds forwards meant the Mariners pack could not even win their own lineout ball -- Nir Sadeh having a field day at the front of the lineout.

It took Teachers 30 minutes to open the scoring when Brian Bailey crossed the line. Glen Belfast played well for Mariners and crossed for a brilliant try midway through the second half.

Overall season winners 1st XV league: Teachers 2nd XV league: Teachers Nichol Shield: Police Robin Hood Trophy: Teachers Halbro Tens: Teachers Denton Memorial: Teachers President's Cup: Renegades Duckett Memorial: Police