DUHANEY Park Red Sharks Head Coach Roy Calvert says their seventh-consecutive National Club Championship (NCC) title is due to the young talent currently coming through the team.

The Red Sharks won their seventh NCC Grand Final, and ninth overall, with a hard-fought 32-20 win over Washington Boulevard Bulls at UWI Mona Bowl on Sunday.

Calvert praised his players for how they overcame the challenge of their opponents, and the environment in which they had to play.

“Hats off to the Bulls, they were determined,” he said. “The conditions were not perfect and both teams had a hard time holding on to the ball. I’m proud of my team, though. We have ended the season unbeaten so it’s another historic moment for us. I was really pleased to see the growth of some of our young players, and to end with a win in the grand finals is the perfect ending to the season.”

The champions had an early scare when playmaker Chevaughn Bailey departed the game after only two minutes with an injury, but they took a 10-4 lead into the half-time break with tries from Ryan Grant (and a conversion), and Joseph Shae.

Bulls’ first-half points came through a try from winger Javon Lewis.

The Red Sharks surged further ahead 20-4 early in the second half with tries from Shaqueil Pollack and Adrian Thomas, while Grant kicked one of the two conversion attempts.

The Bulls then narrowed the gap to 20-14 with tries from Orlando Messado and Reinhardo Richards, with Mohenjo Thompson kicking one of the conversions.

With 15 minutes remaining the Red Sharks made it a two-score game when hooker Akeem Murray burrowed over from close range, Grant again converting. However the Bulls again found a response, this time through Shamoy Stewart, with Thompson once more converting to leave the game almost balanced at 26-20.

With five minutes remaining and the Bulls pushing for the equalising score, a drop ball by Kahil Green in their own half gifted the Red Sharks possession. Prop Owen Linton then went on a thundering charge up the middle and scored under the sticks, while Grant again slotted home the conversion to seal the 32-20 victory for the Red Sharks.

Bulls Head Coach Oshane Edie says the final was good.

“We lost momentum in the first half, got back in it [during] the second, but we failed to capitalise on our opportunities,” he said. “I’m proud of the boys, it was a very intense game. And congrats to the Red Sharks on their victory.”