champions Police, which could have gone either way.

The final score was 16-12, but the outcome was in doubt until the last.

Renegades were forced back on their heels to defend their narrow advantage as Police rallied to turn the game around in the dying minutes.

But Renegades defended well, having taken their chances when it mattered, to run out worthy winners.

Shane DeSilva scored a hat-trick of tries to account for the Police points, but it was not enough.

Alan Oliver and Gary Osborne both missed kicks, which in the end were to prove decisive.

Scores by Renegades either side of half-time served them well, giving them timely confidence-boosters and demoralising the boys in blue.

Phil Heaney opened the scoring for the victors with a well-taken penalty, but Police took the initiative moments later when DeSilva ducked two tackles to score the first of his three tries.

The powerful Police pack was causing problems for the more lightweight 'Gades, who suffered the blow of losing captain Danny Forsythe after a half-hour with a neck injury. He was replaced by Pat Bryan, who had earlier played in the Rothmans Cup.

However, despite some intense pressure, Police could not find their way over the 'Gades line again in the first half.

A missed drop-goal attempt by Oliver was followed by a missed penalty, and moments later 'Gades regained the upper hand with another fine kick from Heaney after referee Tom Watters had penalised Police for dissent.

The score took 'Gades into half-time with a 6-4 lead, and they soon increased that after an intense period of pressure early in the second period.

Barry Whitehead fed the ball out to Tom Dickson who kicked ahead for Whitehead, who picked up the loose ball to score.

A Heaney penalty gave the 'Gades an eight-point cushion, and they moved further ahead soon after when a Police move broke down.

Heaney, Mat Gorman and Whitehead were involved in the build-up that sent Pat Jones over in the corner to make it 16-4. Heaney hit the post with his conversion attempt, but 'Gades had victory in their sights.

Police put them under intense pressure in the last quarter of an hour, with DeSilva being put through by Oliver twice in quick succession.

But the kicks again went awry and it was 16-12 to 'Gades.

Dan Cozens and Ian (Tiny) McLellan both had scoring chances in the dying minutes but lost possession as they went over. 'Gades survived the ensuing five-metre scrums as Police went all out to get back into the reckoning.

Heaney squandered a chance to wrap it up for 'Gades when he missed a penalty with two minutes left. But Police's last chance went begging in stoppage time when Oliver kicked and missed after being awarded a penalty within striking distance of the 'Gades line. A converted try would have won it for them.

Earlier, in the Second Division Rothmans Cup encounter, Teachers defeated Renegades 7-0 in a match that saw some former stars shine.

Pat McHugh, Brian Toms and Gary Kelson were part of the victorious Teachers line-up, who were pushed all the way by a tenacious Renegades outfit.

In the end, it was the strength and experience of the Teachers front row, and the speed of their young backs, that proved decisive.

Bobby Moulder opened the scoring with a first-half try after a mistake by 'Gades full-back Dave Mocklow.

A second-half penalty by Kelson was the only other score of the game, although 'Gades centre Brian Kerwan was unlucky not to grab a try as his side exerted a lot of pressure on Teachers near the end.

OUTTA MY WAY -- Police's Calum Welsh lead with a fearful elbow as he heads forward with Sean Field in support.

TOO LATE -- Nick Doran, left, is tackled moments after passing off to Gareth Davies as Police emerge with possession out of the scrum.