It was honours even in the annual Duckett Memorial games at Police Field this past weekend, with Police and The Rest battling it out in four games.

The first game up was the ladies second team match, and things did not get off to a good start for the Police. They came up against a Rest side firing on all cylinders, and went behind to a Melanie Frigon Duchaine try.

Police battled back and evened things up with Jamie Walker getting through, but it was all the Rest after that. They led 4-1 at half time, and cruised home in the second half to record a 9-1 victory, not the start the Police were hoping for. Frigon Duchaine added four more tries, Gina Newson grabbed two, with Nicole Brennan and Denika Borden scored one apiece.

The next game was the clash of the men's 2nd XV, and in difficult conditions both sides still managed to play some good rugby.

Police, as expected, came out all guns blazing and quickly pushed in front. A break through the middle saw Charlie Rumball score, and then expertly drop-kick the conversion to put Police 7-0 up.

The Rest responded though, and good phases from the forwards yielded a penalty. They decided to run it, and Donal Moynihan managed to work his way over to grab his first try in Bermuda rugby. The conversion was missed, and as the game continued to ebb and flow Police got their second try when Ben Beasley dived over, leaving them 12-5 up at half time.

The Rest were certainly more fired up in the second half, and good hands released speedster Andre Landy out wide to score in the corner. They threatened again, but Jonathan Cassidy made a wonderful covering tackle just short of the line.

Police could only deny The Rest for so long, and a superb offload by Landy set Warren Green free to scamper over the whitewash. The conversion was again missed but The Rest still led.

The home side rallied well and began to apply a lot of pressure. They struggled to break a resolute defence, and a miscommunication let the ball loose. Wonderful interplay from Rich Boyd and Chris Way set up Green for his second try, and a final score of 20-12 to The Rest.

Next came the ladies firsts, and as with the opening match of the day The Rest opened the scoring early on following a great run from Laura Haynes.

Police, who have improved with each game this season, bounced back immediately through Nika Tomieta. Fine handling skills set up Chantal Brown to edge The Rest back in front, before Jess Gilbert scored to put them 3-1 up. Police refused to fold though, and struck back through a well worked Julia Mansfield score. As the clock wore down, Police again applied pressure, and The Rest eventually cracked letting the home side through to grab their a draw with their third try.

The last game was the men's 1st XV clash and it was a tight affair throughout. Constant rain throughout the day left the pitch very difficult underfoot,. and both sides had to adapt for a close, entertaining match.

Police got off to a flyer, and were soon ahead through a pushover try from flanker Pieter Erasmus, though the conversion was missed. A Greg Fraser penalty pulled The Rest closer after Police indiscipline.

Things looked bad for Police when Ralshon Douglas was sent to the sin-bin for a rash shoulder charge on Tom Healy, but The Rest were unable to take advantage.

Police then scored their second try of the day, and it was an absolutely fantastic score. Tom Edwards put a delicate chip over the top that David Pringle burst through to catch before powering his way to the line. Edwards calmly slotted the conversion to put Police in 12-3 ahead at the break.

The second half was equally tough on the players, as the rain picked up and the pitch became muddier. The Rest came back into it after kicking a penalty to the corner, and from the resultant lineout the drive over the line eventually saw Gareth Williams emerge from the mass of bodies clutching the ball.

With the conversion going astray, it left Police clutching on to a narrow 12-8 lead. Both teams had their share of possession and territory, but neither could find another piece of magic to breach the other's try line. The final whistle went and a jubilant Police side were victorious.

This weekend sees the rugby action take place on Sunday at the National Stadium north field. Police against Mariner are the opening games, with the women's match at 12 and the men's match at 1p.m., which also doubles as the Paul Marsden Memorial game. Renegades play Teachers after in the women's at 2.30 p.m., and the men's at 3.30 p.m.