The Rest walked away from Prospect on Sunday as narrow winners of the annual Duckett Memorial match. But league underdogs Police, who were playing below strength, could hold their heads high after a strong performance against a select side which included eight national team players.

The two teams traded tries early on with Rest winger Rob Morgan getting the first following a strong solo run down the right. Police replied with a try from captain Dave Lunn who was driven over the line by his pack of forwards in a rolling maul. Greg Lunn capitalised on his brother's score with a conversion to give Blues a two point lead.

The Rest's Rod Stewart scored next after wing Nathan Browne took the ball deep into Police territory. Phil Heaney kicked his first conversion of the day to give his side a five point lead.

It was not to last, however, as Police forwards led by Dave Bird and Sean Field went on a rampage. First the pack stole the ball in a Rest scrum and attacked with a blind side move that set up a rolling maul and lock Alan Gorbutt scored. Greg Lunn kicked the conversion and then played solid defence alongside wing Warren Bundy to keep the Rest at bay.

A long kick from full back Ian Jamieson relieved the pressure and put Police close to the goal-line where a quick passing move from Police allowed wing Rob Hornett to waltz in for a try.

Greg Lunn added the conversion but missed a chance to stretch Police's lead further after Gorbutt scored his second try.

With the score 26-12 at the interval an upset appeared to be brewing. But Browne, playing on a select team for the first time, had other ideas.

Mike Gorrie scored a quick try after the break when Browne took the ball inside his own half and raced up field where he rode a tackle and fed Stewart who popped to the supporting centre.

Number eight Patrick Cooper followed suit with a storming run through the Police defence from just outside the 22-metre line for a try. Heaney added both conversions to tie the score at 26 apiece.

Browne scored his first try after a superb solo effort saw him intercept a Police pass at the half-way line and run in untouched.

Heaney missed this conversion but Browne gave him another chance when he scored his second try a short time later.

Police began plotting their comeback and their third penalty on the Rest goal-line gave them the opportunity they needed. Gorbutt got his hat trick for the afternoon with another well taken try from a maul and Greg Lunn added the conversion.

But Dennis Dwyer blew the final whistle with Blues still looking for the final score they needed to win the most important game on their schedule.

In Saturday's second team action, Teachers held Renegades scoreless while their flanker Dan Bucher notched up a hat-trick and centre Nathan Browne added a fourth try. Patrick McHugh kicked two conversions for Reds. Police were unable to field a team for the second week in a row and the points automatically went to Mariners.