Red Sharks dethroned as rugby champions

There will be a new champion in Jamaica?s premier rugby league competition, as the Liguanea Dragons upset defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks in their semi-final on Saturday.

In the finals set for the University of the West Indies Mona Bowl on September 27, the Dragons will take on another first-time finalist, as G.C. Foster College stole a march on the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to claim the other berth.

Led by tries from Ali Allwood and Demetrius Campbell, the Dragons roared back from a six-point deficit to snatch victory from the defending champions, who, with 10 minutes to go, led 22-16. The teams were tied on eight points each at the half, but fullback Joseph Shae had scored two tries to give the Red Sharks the lead.

fought bravely

Russell McPherson, Adolph Gayle and Damion Smith also scored for the Dragons, who eked out a 24-22 win. Meanwhile, Renaldo Wade, Owen Linton and Sheldon Kelly scored for the Red Sharks.

G.C. Foster fought bravely to resist the JDF 32-24 to advance to the finals from a very memorable semi-final. Double strikes from schoolboy Miguel Facey and Adrian McKenzie helped G.C. Foster hold on against the determined soldiers, who saw Orien Smith score three tries in his team?s losing effort.

The game was close and competitive throughout, and G.C. Foster had to wait until the final 10 minutes when they managed to score 10 points to put away the soldiers for good.

G.C. Foster will be seeking to add the national rugby league title to the League Leaders Shield they won after completing a 10-0 regular-season run.

The final match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.