Renegades beat Police as Conor scores hat-trick

Despite Desmond furiously scribbling away like Bob Woodward throughout the game it has fallen to me to write this weeks match report.

So I spent the first 20 minute of the first half at FryDay’s trampoline park in Dockyard with the nipper. It’s actually quite good and a lovely addition to Bermuda, although Sanjay was a bit put out by the healthy snacks initially on offer. He’s a five year old, he has no interest in a carrot and a blue cheese dip. Stick with old classics like cake is my advice...anyway I digress…. I also came third in the parents trampoline competition...I was disappointed but hope to do better in the next one in the Spring...ah thank you...

Having finally arrived at the pitch and palmed aforementioned offspring to the delightful Amy McGlynn (I would...would you etc) I glanced at the pitch in trepidation of what may await given the success of our opponents Police in the pre-season Sevens and Tens tournaments and given our, now weekly, plea for numbers the morning before. My initial anxiety perhaps not helped by seeing Tom Kelly defrosted from his Cryotherapy chamber and togged out ready for action.

However as the old cliche goes first impressions never boil and I was witness to one of the best and most composed Renegades performances in recent history. The forwards had their gander up and Matt Kielo was was particularly to the fore with same gainline busting surges.

Jahan, Dunks and Bum also made some notable inroads. Although we conceded an unlucky try at the front of the lineout after I arrived we entered the half-time break at 22-12.

Robin, taking over the captaincy duties from Pettler, is a man of few words. In fact if you take the swear words out he is effectively a mute, but we got the gist of his intent at the interval. Salty, after a solid shift was pulled off (ooh er missus) and yours truly swapped, the relief on the ambulance chasers face was palpable.

So the second half started and again the Renegades continued their fine form. An excellent forward platform and excellent phase play allowed Renegades to march up the pitch and this resulted in fine tries for Jahan, Jamie and Healy. Robin clearly not the calibre of kicker as the best kicker in the club and Mariners loanee Paul Kelly but manfully contributed with three conversions without winding anyone up needlessly.

Mention must go to PK who has no doubt been Mariners best and possibly most committed player this season...I doff my metaphorical hat to you and so do many others in the club.

And despite odds of over a billion to one at kick off an unlikely hat-trick was scored by Conor from hooker who benefitted from two driving lineouts in the second half. I didn’t see the first one as I was still on the way but Conor told me he ran it in from 60 yards and went around 16 people including one lad twice.

Mention must also go to young Jak and Tommy who started the game and improve exponentially every week. Both lads putting in solid performances. Maybe you can like this chat on Snapbook or Instamyspace lads! The children they truly are the future.

The Police did score a consolation try after their winger ran over the dead ball line, so I guess justice was served but the final scoreline was 46-17 which was more than satisfactory to say the least.

So the Renegades leave the first round of games unbeaten as we enter the break for the Classic. However there is no time to rest on our laurels as both Teachers and Police will come again and Mariners have Big Arch to come back after his recent gastric band operation. Next up is the Renegades v the Rest at Founders Day, including a second team/old boys fixture so make sure you get involved!

29th October 2018
Michael F. Williams