The fourth annual Jamaica Rugby League Association National Knock-Out Cup was launched on Saturday at Up Park Camp.

The competition, open to any senior age grade rugby league team, has attracted eight entrants in 2019, vying for a share of $100,000. Defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks have been joined by G C Angels, Jamaica Defence Force Warriors, Washington Boulevard Bulls, St Elizabeth Sledgehammers, and new team West Kingston Hyenas.

Of the four games played on Saturday, two saw massive upsets as the Spartans and Hyenas progressed over the Warriors and Dragons, respectively, two established teams. Meanwhile, both the Red Sharks and Angels held their nerves to see off challenges from upstarts Bulls and Sledgehammers.

Hyenas beat Dragons 12-4

In the first major upset of the competition, new team West Kingston Hyenas surprised Liguanea Dragons 12-4. For the Hyenas, Eric Groves led with eight points from a try and two converted goals. He got support from former national player Everton Richards, who scored a try. Liguanea’s lone try came from live-wire hooker Akeem Murray.

Red Sharks tag Bulls 10-8

Duhaney Park Red Sharks and Washington Bulls were locked in an epic battle before national winger Jenson Morris settled the affair with a last-gasp try on the stroke of full time to deny the Bulls. Other scorers for the defending champions were Captain Khamsi Mckain with a try, and Javian Bryan with a goal kick. The Bulls lone try came from winger Ta-Michael Watson, while stand-off half Dominic Brown kicked two goals in their losing effort.

G C Angels defeat St Bess Sledgehammers 40-8

G C Angels showed their experience and class as they overcame an early eight-point deficit to take care of business against pesky Division Two outfit Sledgehammers. The Sledgehammers got off to a roaring start with early tries from Akino Pennicooke and former national centre Kenardo Morgan putting them up 8-0.

However, G C Angels came into their own in the second half and ran in 40 unanswered points. They were led by Antonio Baker and Adrian Brown with two tries each. They got support from Kareem Harris, Tahjay Lynch, and Lindell Through with a try each. Goals came from Stephen Scott (five) and Harris (one).

CMU Spartans upset JDF Warriors 8-6

Intercollegiate team Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Spartans upset Division One team Jamaica Defence Force Warriors 8-6 in the final game of round one. Teenage prodigies Orlando Messado and Jowayne Forbes each scored a try for the winners, while Shemar Creary crossed for JDF’s lone try with Nicolai Kennedy kicking the goal.

The competition continues this Saturday with two big semi-final matchups.

Defending champions Duhaney Park face rivals G C Angles at 2:00 pm, a repeat of the recently concluded National Club Championship grand finals, while CMU Spartans take on West Kingston Hyenas at 4:00 pm. The venue for the games will to be announced later in the week.