Defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks claimed their eighth-consecutive National Club Championship (NCC) Rugby Grand Final, and 10th overall, with a narrow 17-16 win over Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Warriors on September 28 at UWI Mona Bowl.

Both the Red Sharks and JDF are celebrating 20 years as the founding clubs of the sport on the island.

JDF Warriors were dominant in the first 15 minutes, racing to an early 9-0 lead, courtesy of a try and two goals from winger Shezorye Thompson, and a drop goal from centre Demar Williams.

On 20 minutes, Duhaney Park Red Sharks then responded with a bustling try from loose forward Owen Linton. Ryan Grant missed the goal attempt, leaving the champs trailing 4-9 at the break.

Upon the resumption, the Warriors extended the lead to 15-4 when centre Jowayne Forbes made an audacious break from his own half, swatting away six defenders to crash over in the right corner, for arguably the try of the game. On 58 minutes, the Red Sharks continued their patient fight back when prop Khamisi Mckain scored a try under the sticks and Grant converted, leaving the champions trailing 10-15.

With 16 minutes remaining, the Red Sharks narrowed the gap to 14-15 when back row Jenson Morris scored from an unconverted try in the left corner. A panicking JDF went for a successful drop kick from Thompson, to edge further into a 16-14. Keeping their composure, the Red Sharks again responded when Grant slotted over a penalty kick eight minutes from time to even the affair at 16 all. Then, on 78 minutes, veteran scrum half Chevaughn Bailey found the winner with clutch drop goal from 30 metres out, sending the Duhaney Park players and their fans into rapturous celebrations.

Winning Head Coach Roy Calvert commended the JDF team but praised the Red Sharks for snagging title number 10. “This final is probably the hardest game we have had in two to seasons, kudos to the Army for a great fight. I am my boys, team, especially our youngsters and they really stood up. It’s our 20th year as a club and getting the win means a lot to us.”

His counterpart Sergeant Kemar Catwell was proud his team pushed the Red Sharks all the way.

“My team showed a lot of character against a very good Red Sharks team. We had our chances, and if we had taken them, it might have been a different outcome. We still have a point to prove and we are looking to next season already. Hats off to Duhaney Park again, champions find a way to win, but JDF will be back stronger.”

Washington Bulls won the third-place contest, beating St Catherine Thundercats 3-2 on kicks after the teams were tied 10 all in regular time.

TEAMS:

Duhaney Park – Joseph Shae, Andrew Simpson, Kenneth Walker, Ryan Grant, O’Neil Williams, Chevaughn Bailey, Marvin Thompson, Jade Harrison, Akeem Murray, Daniel Graham, Jenson Morris, Owen Linton, Khamisi McKain, Luke Elliott, Shaqueil Pollack, Akel Johnson

JDF – Jerome Laird, Shezwayne Thompson, Demar Williams, Shamarr Creary, Raphael Lawrence, Shamr Burrell, Steve Miller, Rageek Siley, Jerome Williams, Geovannie Brown, Jowayne Forbes, David Scott, Roydell Reid, Romario Wright, Romell Flemming, Jaheim Davis, Javian Hall

Jowayne Forbes (centre) of Jamaica Defence Force Warriors goes on attack.