DEFENDING national champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks, spearheaded by Fabion Turner, Jermaine Pinnock and Nathan Campbell, kicked off the eight-team National Rugby League Championship last Saturday with a narrow win 20-18 win over GC Foster College.

Tries from Turner (2), Pinnock, and Campbell and two conversions Kemoy White propelled the Red Sharks to victory at GC Foster.

The hosts threw down the gauntlet with solid performances from Othneil Holness (two tries), Marlando Anderson, and Ryan Spence. Spence also kicked a conversion.

Also at GC Foster, Jamaica Defence Force beat Portmore Suns, 26-14. The Suns threatened to take down the military men but muffed their chances.

At Campion College, beaten finalists Vauxhall Old Boys demolished debutants St Andrew Renegades, 82-8.

Tyronie Rowe starred for Vauxhall with five tries. Bahamian Jordon Isaacs and local flyer Troy Hinds got the newcomers on the scoresheet.

In the other match at Campion, Maxfield Star Steppers overpowered Spanish Town Vikings 46-17 thanks to Renaldo Wade (four tries) while veteran scrum half Smeathan Tapper featured for the Vikings with two tries.

All teams in the clubs championship will face each other in a round-robin format lasting for two and a half months. The top four teams will then advance to the semi-finals with the winners contesting the national title on September 8.

The competition will continue on Saturday with a double-header at GC Foster College where the JDF will face Fostodians at 2:20 while Maxfield Star Steppers tackle Portmore Suns at 4:00 pm.

At Campion College, St Andrew Renegades will face Duhaney Park at 2:20 and Vauxhall will meet Spanish Town at 4:00 pm.