recovered from a spate of injuries as he sparked Teachers to a 44-9 rout over arch-rivals Renegades on a warm and sunny afternoon at National Sports Club.

The win landed Teachers a spot in the final of the prestigious Nicholl Shield, scheduled for Sunday, April 10, against Mariners, who thumped Police 21-9 in the day's first game.

Simons, who has been plagued by injuries for most of the season, is ending the year the same way he began it -- red hot.

He scored 17 points with a pair of tries, one of them on a brilliant 50-yard dash, as Teachers jumped out to a 27-0 lead before Phil Heaney finally got Renegades on the scoreboard before the interval.

The game took on a eerie resemblance to the World Cup qualifier two weeks earlier, only this time the eight Teachers in yesterday's line-up who also played against the United States -- Heath (Butch) Robinson, Alvin Harvey, Andrew Correia, Billy McNiven, Patrick Cooper, Michael Montgomery, Ashley Redmond and Richard Raistrick -- were obviously enjoying themselves a lot more.

Simons, who started the campaign with 44 points in his first three games, has rebounded just in time as Teachers continued their assault on the record books and their dogged pursuit of all the silverware the Island has to offer.

"I feel good,'' said Simons yesterday. "It's been a hard year for injuries, but I've worked hard to get back here. It feels good to finally be back in form to finish off the season strong for the club. Hey, I came in with a bang and I hope to go out with a bang.'' Simons got Teachers on the scoreboard almost immediately with a penalty kick followed by his first try.

With Renegades unable to part the `Red Sea', Teachers built on their impressive lead with a drop kick by Montgomery and Simons' spectacular score a few minutes later. Robinson scored the first of his two tries soon after.

"We had a tough time because of injuries and unavailabilty of players,'' said Ali Nicoll of Renegades. "The people that came in did the best they could, but I think the weakness was there for everybody to see. We had as much possession as them the whole game, but they had all the scoring power. We just couldn't score.'' Heaney put Renegades back on the scoreboard with a penalty kick to start the second half, only to watch Anthony Cupidor make the score 32-6 for Teachers and officially put the game out of reach.

Teachers followed up on another penalty kick by Heaney with a try by Patrick Cooper and Robinson's second score.

Renegades lost Gordie Benson midway through the second half when he dislocated his shoulder.

Mariners 21, Police 9 The most significant injury on the day, however, occurred during the first game, when Mariners veteran Dave Conway broke his collar-bone in the second half of a spirited victory over Police.

Conway went to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and will see a surgeon in about a week.

"I just fell awkwardly,'' Conway said upon his return, fitted with a lightweight shoulder brace.

John Flett, a newcomer from Australia, scored his first Bermuda try while Declan O'Laughlin continued his fine play since returning to the Island with a try, conversion and three penalties.

"Dave is going to be a big loss to us,'' said O'Laughlin, while looking ahead to the Shield final. "He's the leader of the backs, he dominates and he gets everybody going.'' Kicker Dave Bird connected on three penalties for a Police squad who were missing Danny Cozens.

Teachers do not plan to take Mariners lightly, especially since the green-clad team tied them in January for the only blemish of their season.

"They've got some strong boys,'' said Simons. "We're playing well and our backs have been together for a long time. Like Alvin (captain Harvey) says, we're just going to have to focus and make sure we finish the season with all the trophies.'' Mariners and Teachers drew 8-8 after extra time during Saturday's Rothman's Shield action with scrum half Bob Colebrook scoring all eight points for Mariners. John Edwards (try) and Gerry Paddock (penalty) replied for Teachers.

The game will be replayed on April 6.

Renegades defeated Police 7-3 on a try from Liam McCittrick, which was converted by Paul Harris.

Andy Wright scored a penalty for Police.

ANDRE SIMONS.