Renegades were lucky to have just nipped Teachers in injury time to capture the Nicholl Shield yesterday at National Sports Club with a disputed try by Tom Dixon after another Renegades' back had seemingly knocked the ball forward before Dickson had raced for the touchdown.

Teachers dominated the second half and although deserving the victory, were robbed after looking certain to hold on to their 10-6 lead.

Renegades, inventive as ever, employed a kicking strategy against a superior back division. Phil Heaney was on target with his boot in the first 15 minutes with two penalties to give Renegades an early 6-0 lead.

Renegades' attacks were snuffed out time and again by Scott Correira, Gerry Paddock and Alvin Harvey.

Andrew Correia created a lot of trouble for Renegades and Bobby Hurdle and Ashley Redmond won a tremendous amount of ball on the lineouts. Heaney and Dave Taylor pinned Teachers in their own half with intelligent kicking, knowing that penetration in the centre was impossible. Just before half time, after pressing on the Renegades try line, Bobby Hurdle caught a loose ball from a lineout and crashed over to bring the score to 6-5 at the half.

Teachers gradually began to take control of the game and following superb handling by Andrew Correia and Harvey, Mike Montgomery supported well to score in the corner.

Teachers held on to this 10-6 lead until the end of full time when an unexpected Renegades' venture into Teachers' half led to the disputed try in injury time.

Teachers 5, Mariners 0 Forward domination by Teachers paved the way for their third successive Rothmans win and underlined Teachers superiority in Second XV rugby over the past three seasons. Captain Henry Adderley joyously scored the only try late in the game following a typical Teachers' drive in the scrum close to the Mariners' line.

Pat McHugh picked up the ball at the back of the scrum and cleverly fed Adderley who took three defenders with him when he crashed over the line.

Although Teachers had dictated play for most of the game, Mariners gave them a few scares and if Phil Pettingill was on kicking form the game could have swung Mariners way.

Phil Pettingill missed four easy penalty kicks after numerous infringements by Teachers.

New boy for Teachers Dave Campbell, had a fine debut in the centre with good handling skills.

The winner of the three awards are: Amstel Player of the Year, Dave Conway (Mariners); Most Valuable Young Bermudian, Anthony Cupidor (Teachers); The Office Equipment Fair Play Award, Neil Alexander (Mariners).

ROUGH AND READY -- Renegades' Pat Bryan takes down Patrick Cooper just as he is about to catch the ball during yesterday's Nicholl Shield.