Teachers 13 Renegades 20

Teachers' domination of the Gateway Systems League could be coming to an end - certainly if performances in recent weeks are any indication.

On Sunday, after having narrowly overcome a spirited challenge from Mariners two weeks earlier, Renegades handed Teachers their first defeat of the season.

Renegades' ability to recycle and retain possession gave them the edge in a closely fought match.

Gades showed their intention right from the kick-off as they received the ball and proceeded to drive it back at Teachers 50 metres downfield, resulting in a penalty. But winger Michael Kane was unable to convert.

Teachers then took the lead when a Renegades scrum was thwarted by Teachers forwards, Henry Adderley winning the put-in. Speedy hands along the backline enabled winger Harry Andrews to score in the corner but Simons again couldn't convert.

Renegades then put a penalty kick deep into the Teachers half. From the line-out the ball was spun along the backline and a well-worked move enabled fly half Mick Williams to take a return pass from Kane and score near the posts. The conversion by Kane gave Gades a 7-5 lead.

However, by half-time Teachers had regained the advantage. They were awarded a five metre scrum which they quickly spun out wide for Sangster who touched down in the right hand corner. Simons missed again but Teachers were ahead 10-7.

The second half saw Renegades' scrum half James Holburn start to take more control, making his presence known in set plays and around the field in the loose. Gades were forced to make a number of cover tackles in defence as the Reds turned up the pressure. But it was Renegades who scored next as Kane knotted the score at 10-10 with a successful penalty.

A tight passage of play saw Renegades' number eight sent to the sin bin but Teachers could only muster three points in his absence - a penalty kick by Simons. Shortly after, Renegades evened the scores again with a penalty from Kane.

Then, with less than 10 minutes remaining, it was Teachers' turn to be short as Sangster was sin-binned for illegal use of the boot.

And they were made to pay as Colin Targett weaved through several tired defenders before setting up good ruck ball which saw Holburn squeezing through a gap to score near the posts. The conversion by Kane capped off a great day with the boot and put an end to Teachers' hopes of victory.

Mariners 5 Police 0

Mariners 5 Police 0

Mariners and Police fought out a dismal affair with Mariners eventually persevering for a much-needed win.

Both sides were suffering from injuries and suspensions. Notably absent was Police veteran scrum half Gareth Davies and Mariners' national team prop Jason Scott.

The game started briskly with Mariners being put under pressure by a Police side who were hoping to follow up the previous week's Duckett Memorial win with another determined display. And although they worked tirelessly, they never showed the same composure to deliver the killer punch.

On a number of occasions Police prop Iain (Sumo) Simpson was brought down just short of the line with massive tackles by the Mariners forwards led by prop Paddy Topley.

Police deserved to score in the first half. Ryan (Kermit) Somerville, playing his last game for the club before heading to university Down Under, enjoyed a fine display at scrum half and was stopped short of the try line on two occasions.

The half-time whistle brought not only relief to Mariners but also a host of changes. On came Mark Ladyman at hooker and Rick Shaw in the second row - these along with a number of other tactical changes eventually paying dividends.

Mariners put together a period of intense pressure with a number of promising moves spoiled only by handling errors.

The late introduction of Jonathan Cassidy looked certain to pay dividends for the Boys in Blue. However, in the end it was a fine Mariners backs move, orchestrated by Josh McGavern and finished by Cian O'Sullivan, that won the day.

The final whistle brought an end to a disappointing game but sets up an intriguing final round of league games, with Mariners, Teachers and Renegades all in the running for the title.

This weekend sees the first round of a new format of matches. Players will be split into four different teams. The Onions will consist of Bermuda-born players. The Limeys will consist of players with English citizenship. The Celts will consist of players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. And, the Rest of the World will consist of players from the other countries from around the world.

All games will be played at the National Sports Centre. The competition will be played on a round robin format with games on February 2, 23 and March 2. This weekend's games pit the Onions against the Celts at 2 p.m. and the Limeys against the Rest of the World at 3:30 p.m.