It’s winner takes all in final game of season
The domestic rugby season is all set up for a thrilling finish with the title on the line in a winner takes all clash this Sunday.League leaders Police hold a slim one-point advantage over Teachers, the defending champions, going into the final match of the season.The pair have swapped the lead at the top of the table several times so far, and it is fitting that the two best sides will face each other at the National Sports Centre (3.30pm) to decide a compelling title race.If Teachers don’t successfully defend their crown they will look back on last Sunday’s game against Renegades and wonder what might have been. A win would have all but sealed the title for the men in red, however all they could manage was a draw against Renegades.That result however, plus Police’s 36-5 thumping of Mariners means it’s still anybody’s title.Defeat on Sunday could have ended Police’s title hopes, and despite scoring first, they had a tough time of it against Mariners.Early pressure saw Durnferd Davis give the boys in blue the lead, Mike Kane added the extras, and Police were off and running. Soniko Thomas though struck back for Mariners to make it 7-5 and for a time Mariners looked like they might cause an upset.However, Darren Richardson barged his way over twice, either side of half time, and Police then ran Mariners ragged, with John Jackson and David Pringle (two) piling on the misery. Pringle kicked two conversions and the bonus-point may make all the difference come the weekend.Teachers had a much tougher time of it against Renegades, and had to come from behind as the two teams battled out an 11-11 draw.Greg Fraser and Phil Hall swapped penalties in a scrappy opening, before a Hall penalty, and a controversial Neill MacGuiness try gave Renegades an 11-3 half time lead.Teachers came out much improved in the second half but still struggled to get their rhythm and breach the solid Renegades defence. Good work on the ground and some terrific tackling kept the Teachers at bay before Greg Fraser managed to squeeze over in the corner. A Shauntino Simmons penalty followed as Teachers drew level.In the women’s games, Teachers inflicted a first defeat on champions Renegades. Katie Wright and Marie-Pierre Baudoin scored for Teachers in either half, while Melissa Field scored for Renegades.In the other game Mariners thrashed Police 8-1.