Renegades defeated Police 22-10 last weekend to go four points clear at the top of the league, in a match preceded by a moment of silence in memory of Police coach Kenny O'Shea's infant son Fionn, who died in his sleep last month.

In the second match, Teachers enjoyed a 15-3 victory over Mariners, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Teachers moved up to 15 points in the league standings, two adrift of Police (17) and six behind reigning league champions Renegades (21). Fourth-placed Mariners have six points. Renegades raced into a 10-0 lead with a try by Tom Healy, converted by MacGuinness, who then went on to slot over a penalty.

Police fought back with a try in the corner by Mike Kane, amid Renegades' protests that he had stepped out of play. Kane missed the difficult conversion kick.

Veteran Mariner Jackson went over for the league leaders' second try, which was converted by MacGuinness to stretch Renegades' lead to 17-5.

Dave Bird touched down to keep Police in the match, reducing the arrears to 17-10, but MacGuinness sealed Renegades' victory with his team's third try to make the final score 22-10.

Jeff Sangster scored two unconverted tries for Teachers in the second game to give his side a 10-0 half-time lead against Mariners.

Mariners bounced back in the second period with a strong wind on their backs and Richard Holden put over a penalty to reduce the deficit to seven points.

But veteran Alvin Harvey killed off Mariners' hopes of a comeback with the clinching try to give Tecahers a 15-3 victory.