File Photo: Cedar Grove vs Campion
Defending champions Cedar Grove Academy will aim to retain their title when they face Calabar High School in the Flashship Couriers National U16 Championship Final this Friday. In a rematch of last year’s final, both teams enter the decider with high confidence after hard-fought semi-final victories over Jose Marti Technical and Campion College, respectively.
In semifinal action on Friday, March 14, hosts Cedar Grove mounted a dramatic comeback to edge Campion College 24-20. Joshua Quamie led the effort for Campion with 12 points from three tries, but Cedar Grove’s Jahvon Miller responded with a 10-point haul from two tries and a goal kick. The defining moment came in the final play, when Kieran Brown produced a heroic try to seal the victory.
Reflecting on the match, winning coach Antonio Baker remarked:
“The semi-final was grueling—there were moments when no one knew who would come out on top—but our boys did just enough for just long enough to secure the win. I’m proud of their progress and winning the trophy again would be the perfect finish to the season.”
Meanwhile, Calabar had to dig deep to fend off a spirited challenge from debutants Jose Marti Technical. The teams were deadlocked 4-4 at halftime in a tense, physical battle. However, Calabar’s superior fitness and structured play proved decisive in the second half, as they scored 12 unanswered points to grind out the win. Tevez Tulloch led the way with 12 points from three tries.
Coach Oshane Edie acknowledged the challenge posed by Jose Marti:
“The match was tough. They had some big, powerful players in the middle who really tested us. But we stuck to our systems, found space out wide, and Tulloch finished well in the corners. We’re excited for the rematch against Cedar Grove—they got the better of us last year, and our goal is to go one step further this time.”
Finals are schedule –for Friday, March 21, venue to be announced.
12:00 PM – U14 Final: Cedar Grove vs. Calabar
1:00 PM – Third-Place Playoff: Campion vs. Jose Marti
2:00 PM – U16 Championship Final: Cedar Grove vs. Calabar
Romeo Monteith
Director of Rugby
Email: info@rljam.com
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