Mariners Rugby Football Club

Mariners shock Renegades
Fans of rugby were treated to a rugby filled weekend but only the really dedicated supporters who braved the wild weekend elements would have witnessed some truly stunning results in local rugby on Saturday. The magnificent Mariners mauled the red-faced Renegades 15-0 to record their first league victory in over two years. Police capitalized on this historic event by man handling Teachers 14-0 to recapture the top of the table honours.

The opening game at an exposed Malabar field saw a much maligned Mariners outfit, still seeking their first league win of the season, take on front running and favourites Renegades. In horrendous conditions with gale force gusts of wind and driving squalls of rain, both teams trotted onto the paddock shivering and wondering about the wisdom of playing in such inclement weather. Renegades were without their kicking specialist Paul Waldburger who was in running in the New York City marathon. As well they were saying good bye to veteran flanker come front row Mike Williams who was playing in his final game after six years of dedicated service not only to Renegades but also highly commendable stint with the National team. Bermuda will be the lesser for the departure of this likable burly Welshman. Referee Keith Hodgkins blew his whistle to start the auspicious game in hellacious howling winds which made his shrill blast barely audible to players and spectactors alike. Renegades playing with the wind to their backs kicked off deep and were immediately put on notice that Mariners' days of being the whipping boys of local rugby were over. Left winger Warren Green, who had a strong performance, dazzled with an end to end run in the opening movement of the game. His spectacular run was stopped inches short of the line by a try saving tackle by 'Gades interim stand-off Tom Healy. Buoyed by this mercurial start, the Mariners pack took the battle boldly to their vaunted opposite numbers and in trench warfare like conditions began to impress their will to win. In particular the Mariner front row of Dustin Archibald, Shaun Stafford and Ed Barnes were massive in the tight play. A text book lineout take by the giant lock David Rourke secured great set piece ball. The Mariners forwards, showing the fruition of the coaching skill of South African coach Johann Oosthuizen, began a series of rolling mauls that crept inexorability towards the try line. The mass of humanity crashed over and the eagled eyed referee Hodgkins awarded the opening score after spotting the grounding through a melee of bodies. A jubilant No 8 Gary Brady emerged with the ball and claimed the plaudits. Richard Holden narrowily missed the conversion but the Greens had drawn first blood 5-0. Renegades tried to mount a come back but where torn between using the strong tail wind to kick long and lose possession or run from deep with the limited possession they enjoyed. Also the half back combination of captain Darragh O'Donnoghue at scrum half and stand-off Healy was not clicking. Mariner's scrumhalf Rich Fisher was giving O'Donnoghue a torrid time harassing at the base of the retreating 'Gades scrums. A brave solo run by West Indies sevens star Healy, saw the sinewy Irishman break the Mariners line and tear towards a sure try. Mariners skipper Richard Brown backtracked superbly and his cover tackle drove Healy into touch. Healy's frustration was palpable and a fracas erupted with Healy amazingly avoiding a yellow card after engaging in a heated shoving match with both Mariners locks and the startled linesmen. The out burst appeared to inspire the Renegades who went through a purple patch, but at the half time whistle, only had two missed penalties to show for their improved play. When one of the penalty kicks hit the up right, one sensed that it could be Mariners day. Mariners began the second half with the strong winds at their back, playing down the slight incline and scent of a famous victory in their flaring nostrils. Mariner's flanker Kris Furbert had a storming game and was every where in the loose; doling out massive hits in defense. Midway through the second half Mariners struck for their second try of the day. The scoring move started from a well won scrum with flanker Ryan Gonsalves spinning through two tackles and silkily off loading to fly-half Richard Holden. Holden gratefully ate up the space created, drew the cover defense before beautifully timing a long pass to winger Lars Jensen. Jensen put on the after burners and was controversially awarded a try in the corner when the referee adjudicated that the tackler not Jensen had hit the corner flag. Holden brilliantly converted from the side lines in wind swept conditions to extend his sides lead 12-0. By now Mariners were thoroughly dominating the affair and Renegades were taking on the unaccustomed role of chastened choirboys. Holden capped off an inspirational performance with an outstanding long distance penalty effort from inside his own half to finish of a remarkable 15-0 white wash of the current league champions. All in all a famous victory for Mariners and certainly not the send-off Mike Williams was expecting.