Red Sharks are 2011 National Champions!!

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 November 2011 05:52

12th September 2011

Duhaney Park Red Sharks claimed our first national title in six attempts after defeating defending holders and favourites Vauxhall Rugby Club 20-18 at the Red Stripe Oval. As expected, the game matured into an epic battle between the juggernauts of rugby league in Jamaica and the large crowd on hand was treated to a very entertaining game.

Vauxhall were first out of the blocks when quick passing through the backline got the ball to winger Trevor "Tutty" Morris who crashed over in the left hand corner after only three minutes, Mohenjo Thompson added a fine conversion for a six point lead. Duhaney Park levelled four minutes later when excellent support play saw full back Renaldo "WD" Wade (pictured, with the ball) sent through the middle by Joseph "Six" Shae to score between the posts and Ryan "National" Grant converted.

Red Sharks then lost influential captain Roy Calvert in the 20th minute when he followed up on a chip and chase kick, but hyper-extended his left elbow while trying to re-gather. Centre Andre Reid was then moved to Scrum half to replace Calvert, and marshaled the Reds offensive for the rest of the half.

Vauxhall regained the lead when Richards was fouled on the try line and the referee awarded a penalty try, Thompson again kicking the conversion but again the Sharks responded when hooker Marvin Thompson broke from the back of a scrum, he then fed Grant at centre who despite taking a huge shot from Vauxhall’s full back Howard Clarke, managed to offload to winger Robert "Gary C" Rodney who raced in for the try, Grant again nailed the conversion. Rodney though had to be substituted, as while scoring he took a knee to the thigh from Vauxhall's lock Omar "Roach" Jones. At half time, scores were looked at 12 all.

The head to head battle continued in the second half as both teams tried to break down the iron clad defense that gripped the game. Vauxhall went on several raids in Red Sharks territory but came up empty handed. The frustration in the Vauxhall camp was palpable, when their head coach blew up on the sidelines and allegedly threw an object in the direction of the 4^th official-who he accused acting as a ball boy for the Reds. The coach was seen to be physically restrained by members of his club before storming away from the sideline and leaving his team on their own.

With the pressure and frustration mounting on the defending champions, Duhaney Park surged ahead when Wade crashed over for his second try on about 7 minutes into the half after some fluid backline passing, Grant adding the difficult conversion from the left corner. Two minutes later the lead was extended to 8 points when Grant slotted over a penalty from 40m out.

Vauxhall responded as true champions when Richards recovered the a short kick from the ensuing restart sent Vauxhall storming to the Reds goal line. A quick penalty for off-side say Vauxhall tap and move the ball right to winger Mohenjo Thompson who skillfully evaded Wade with a sublime inside step, and crashed over near the posts, Thompson then kicked the conversion and his team trailed by 2 points.

Vauxhall tried valiantly to regain the lead but were repeatedly thwarted by Red solid Sharks defence.  Vauxhall coughed up the ball on 65 minutes and Calvert who had rejoined the fray in the second half recovered and scampered towards the Vauxhall goal line. He was brilliantly tackled by Sandino Hastings (prop), however, as Calvert attempted to regain his feet, Vauxhall's winger Andrew "Pang" Simpson apparently used his knee to strike Calvert in the face.

The linesman reported the incident to the referee who then attempted to issue Simpson a card. However, the winger lost his head and collared the linesman resulting in players from both teams trying to separate them. Following the tussle up, the referee went in search of Simpson to issue the card; however, Simpson attempted to attack the referee and had to be restrained by team mates. The referee promptly blew off the game and the Reds celebrated a hard fought win.

Barring the ugly incident and poor sportsmanship of a few, the game was a brilliant contest between the two best teams in Jamaica. The hits were furious and the runs brutal. Several hundred fans and media were in attendance and were treated to a truly marvelous spectacle.  After 6 attempts, the Red Sharks can finally utter the words...Champions.