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Firestorms JRLA National Division 2 champs

Published:Friday | December 20, 2019 | 12:45 AM
Members of Duhaney Park Firestorms celebrate after scoring a try in the 2019 National Division 2.
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Members of Duhaney Park Firestorms celebrate after scoring a try in the 2019 National Division 2.

New club Duhaney Park Firestorms gave their community another national rugby league title to celebrate following their win in the JRLA National Division 2 finals on Saturday.

The club got the better of defending champions Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Spartans 12-4 in a tense final at the UWI Mona Bowl. The win means the Duhaney Park community now holds all three men’s open age National titles as Duhaney Park Redsharks won the National Club Championship (NCC) and National Knock-Out Cup earlier in the year.

Duhaney Park was led by national player Javian Bryan who scored eight points from a try and two goals; he was supported by second row Sheldon Kelly with one try. CMU’s lone try came from centre Takeem Creary. All points were scored in the first half with Duhaney Park leading throughout the encounter. The second half was a defensive slug fest that suited the Firestorms as they were happy to sit back and absorb pressure before launching quick counter-attacks.

Exciting debut

Winning coach Roy Calvert describes the team’s debut season as exciting.

“Our mandate coming into the competition was to focus on line speed and good body positioning in defence while promoting patience in attack,” he said. “I think we have done fairly well. We beat a very classy CMU outfit twice in the competition, both in the opening group stage game and now in the Grand Finals, I believe this has done a lot for the confidence of the players and we are already looking forward to next season and defending our title.”

CMU’s Sports Coordinator Stephan Williams was philosophical about the defeat.

“We didn’t win, but we gained vital knowledge and experience,” Williams said. “The competition was a good preparation for our intercollegiate campaign that begins in January and we will work on our weaknesses and improve.”

In the Third Place play-off, Kingston Central Hounds outscored Cedar Grove Cyclones 26-18. Trae Rodriquez top-scored for the Hounds with eight points from two tries, while for the Cyclones, national player Antonio Baker led with 10 points from a try and three goals.