Nationals with Mariners recording their first win by beating Police 23-17 while Teachers defeated Renegades 18-13.

A disappointing feature of the day was the lack of players' knowledge of the new laws. All teams seemed completely at a loss with the new offside law.

Indeed, there must have been at least 10 penalties given during the afternoon for the infringement of this new law. New referee Mark Smith did a fine job with the new laws and it appears that each club must ensure that their players are fully versed.

In the Mariners win, Gavin Dublin, the Amstel Second XV player of the day, scored the decisive try when the score was 18-17 to Mariners. He ran aggressively for 25 metres before diving in the corner for the last score of the day.

The three Mariners tries were certainly well deserved after constant pressure in the Police half. Peter Voss spearheaded the majority of the attacks from scrum-half. The Police forwards were inexperienced and slowed down considerably during the second half.

But for some excellent clearance kicks by the Police centre Scott Perry, Mariners would certainly have added to their scoreline. Mariners' other tries were scored by wing Terry Madeiros, normally a First XV forward, and number number eight Mike Gorman who crashed over after several scrums near the Police line.

Voss again contributed to this effort with surging runs from the base of the scrum. The Police centres were quite efficient at snuffing out any penetration even though Mariners had the luxury of Huw Spiers, a former national team player at outside half.

Gary Jacks scored the only Police try with the score at 3-3, even when Police, incorrectly as it seemed at the time, decided to run an easily kickable penalty near the post. Andy Wright was on target with a touchline conversion and also added another conversion after a penalty try was awarded when Tim Winkleman was brought down with a late tackle.

Bermuda Under-21 lock forward Robin Sherwood was back in action for Police after two years' absence. Mariners retiree, Geoff Yoemans, has decided to dig out his boots again but has changed his allegiance to Police after years of staunch Mariners involvement.

A good game was marred by the sending-off of the normally docile prop forward John Barnes of Mariners for punching a Police forward.

Teachers certainly have a lot to thank Gerard Paddock for in their 18-13 win over Renegades. Not only did he set up two of the best tries of the day, but he tackled tenaciously and kicked with intelligence.

His performance must surely improve his chances of promotion to the first XV.

Teachers' forwards, with new faces Wayne Washington and Mike Dawson, shoved Renegades in the scrums and won the majority of the rucks and mauls.

Clifford Savery, in particular, made good ground on a number of occasions with some surging drives. Renegades' backs looked sharp and handled the ball confidently in a well-alligned formation.

Roddy Moore provided his centres with some good ball and Dermot Casling had some determined runs in the centre. Moore, normally quite an elusive runner, would most certainly have taken the ball himself but probably felt that his opposite number, Paddock, would have stopped any attacking oppotunities with efficient tackling.

Neither back row took control in the game and it was up to the Teachers wings, both young Bermudians, to show their try scoring skills. Roman Romeo, on the left wing, played his best game for Teachers when he showed no fear in the tackle and left three would-be tacklers on the ground to score a try in the corner after an initial break by Paddock.

But the try of the game must go to 16-year-old Matthew Scholey in his first game of senior rugby. He used he exceptional pace to run 30 yards for a superb try after being set up again by Paddock. Scholey looks very much like another Craig Perry in the making and should serve Teachers well for many years.

In yesterday's report it was incorrectly stated that Renegades showed dissension towards the referee. In fact it was Police.

GETTEING TO GRIPS -- Police's Dave Bird, left, attempts to evade Matt Gorman of Renegades in Sunday's first XV match that the Gades won 23-14.