roared to life during a weekend tournament featuring players from First and Second XV sides.

Renegades defeated Mariners 34-5 yesterday to win the tournament, which drew widespread praise from several players. Captain Pat Jones of Renegades, for instance, said that the tournament was a great idea and gives a chance for Second XV players to gain experience by playing against better players.

Dennis Cherry of Teachers said the weekend is a perfect way of bridging the gap between First and Second XV players, adding that the format does great things for younger players.

The tournament was also designed for players not attending this week's Caribbean showdown in Trinidad.

Renegades came out winners after beating Police 8-5 on Saturday and demolishing Mariners yesterday.

Saturday also saw a weak Teachers team going down to Mariners 27-7. In the losers' final yesterday, Teachers outplayed Police even though they had only 13 men for most of the game, coming out 37-7 winners after being down 7-0.

Police never capitalised on the obvious overlap created every time they won the ball. Teachers were well served by rookie John Newton, who scored 18 points from two tries, two penalties and one conversion. Another newcomer, Noel Capewell at number eight, supported Teachers well and drove relentlessly towards Police scoring one try and setting up Newton for another.

Flanker Ron Hook scored after a tight head steal by Eddie Tarn and prop Tim White crashed over near the end to seal Police's fate. Cherry added two conversions.

In the championship final, Renegades dominated play against Mariners with Des Nash doing a sterling job at lock forward. Renegades' forwards supported the backs well and this resulted in new wing Scott Certen running hard and breaking tackles. Jones hauled most of his side's points with a try, two conversions and a drop goal. Wade Tihema finished off good attacking movements with two tries. Other try scorers were Steve Everest and Liam McKittrick.