Red Sharks win six straight

The Duhaney Park defeated the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Warriors 56-12 to be crowned Rugby League Around The Grounds National Club Champions (NCC). In so doing, the Red Sharks have now won the championship a record sixth time.

Played in front of a large and energetic crowd at the Duhaney Park Mini Stadium, the Red Sharks dominated from start to finish on the back of sublime passing and running from their speedy centres and wingers. They were comfortably ahead 28-6 at half time, and the second half saw them continue to dominate all aspects of the game.

The Red Sharks were led by national centre Renaldo Wade who scored a hat-trick of tries. He got good support from Andrew Simpson (two), Kenneth Walker (one), Ryan Grant (one), Joseph Shae (one), Owen Linton (one), and Jermaine Pinnock (one). Grant kicked five goals and Miguel Facey one.

For the JDF, Ramone Carr scored a try and kicked a goal to accumulate eight points. He got support from Demone Williams, who managed a try as well.

Winning assistant coach Roy Calvert described the season as "challenging".

"We spoke about history before the game," he said. "This is our third time meeting the Warriors in a Grand Finals. we lost the previous two. We wanted to be the first club to win four in a row and also the first to win six NCC titles. Some really meticulous plans went into making this season successful, and we are proud of the boys."

The local club scene now switches its focus to the National Knockout Cup, which its begins next Saturday, and the National Division 2 Championship, which commences at the end of October.