The Champs.
October 3, 2024
Romeo Monteith
It was pandemonium at the Mona Bowl last Saturday as heavy weights Duhaney Park Sharks and Jamaica Defence Force unleashed an epic battle of will, wits and grit in the 18th National Club Championship Grand Finals. On a oppressively humid afternoon day, the teams were cooled by Wisynco's WATA products, providing ample fuel for the gladiators to produce their best.
Victory meant everything to both sqauds as each is celebrating 20 years of rugby league in Jamaica, and both stand alone as surving founders members of the sport in 2004. In the end, the Red Sharks prevailed.
Counting this Grand Finals, the Red Sharks have been in an incredible 16 of 18 played in the 20 year history of the sport, winning 10. No Grand Final was played in 2020 ans 2021 due to Covid. Meanwhile, JDF has now made their way to 5, winning twice. The teams have now met four times in the finals, each winning two. JDF's victories were in 2007. and 2008, whilst Red Sharks have now prevailed 2018 and 2024.
Jowayne "Machine" Forbes. JDF's Danger man.
The win on Saturday was 8 for Red Sharks the trot, and their most difficult. It was the one they had to dig deepest to procure, all due to a steely display from the Army men who are still rueing the opportunity missed to dismantle their opponent's incredible finals streak.
In front of a raucous crowd, the majority of whom cheered agaisnt the champions, it was JDF who came out firing and dominanting the first 15 minutes. They racing to an early 9-0 lead, courtesy of a try and two goals from winger Shezorye Thompson, and a drop goal from center Demar Willaims.
Khamisi "Hamma" Mckain delivered
On 20 minutes, Duhaney Park then responded with a bustling try from loose forward Owen Linton. Ryan Grant missed the goal attempt. JDF won a penalty in front the post on the last play of the half, however, they inexplicitly decided to go for broke and sent the ball wide from a tap, instead of kicking the two points on offer and padding the lead. It was a bold decision that would haunt the final score. Still, they were looking comfortable with a 9-4 lead at the break.
Shezwayne Thompson. Mr Speed.
Upon resumption, the soldiers extended the lead to 15-4, when center Jowayne "Machine" Forbes, made an audacious break from his own half, swatting away six defenders and crashing over in the right corner, for arguably the try of the game. On 58 minutes, Red Sharks found another elusive score, when prop Khamisi Mckain scored a try under the sticks and Grant converted leaving the champs trailing 10-15.
With 16 minutes remaining, Red Sharks pegged the gap to 14-15, when back row Jenson Morris scored an unconverted try in the left corner. A panicking JDF went for a successful drop kick form Thompson, to edge further ahead, 16-14.
Jenson "Gas" Morris delivered when it mattered most.
Keeping their composure, the champs again responded when Grant slotted over a penalty kick 8 minutes from time to even the affair,16-16 all. Then, on 78 minutes, veteran scrum half Chevaughn Bailey found the winner with clutch drop goal from 30 meters out, sending Duhaney Park and their fans into rapturous celebrations.
Winning head coach Roy Calvert commended the JDF team but praised the Red Sharks for snagging title number 10, “This final is probably the hardest game we have had in 2 to3 season, kudos to the Army for a great fight. I am my boys, team, especially our youngsters and they really stood up. It’s our 20th year as a club and getting the win means a lot to us.”
Delivery men. Chevaughn "Grinning" Baily (front) and Owen "Janga" Linton seal the win
His counterpart Seragent Kemar Catwell said, “My team showed a lot of character against a very good Red Sharks team. We had our chances, and if we had taken them, it might have been a different outcome. We still have a point to prove and we are looking to next season already. Hats off to Duhaney Park again, champions find a way to win, but JDF will be back stronger.”
Washington Bulls won the third-place contest, beating St Catherine Thundercats 3-2 on kicks after both teams were tied 10 all in regular time.
Duhaney Park Scorers
Tries: Owen Linton, Khamisi Mckain, Jenson Morris; Goals: Ryan Grant (2); Drop Goals: Chevaughn Bailey
JDF Scorers
Tries: Shezwayne Thompson, Jowayne Forbes; Goals: Shezwayne Thompson (3);
Drop Goals: Demar Williams
Teams:
Duhaney Park: Joseph Shae, Andrew Simpson, Kenneth Walker, Ryan Grant, O’Neil Williams, Chevaughn Bailey, Marvin Thompson, Jade Harrison, Akeem Murray, Daniel Graham, Jenson Morris, Owen Linton, Khamisi McKain, Luke Elliott, Shaqueil Pollack, Akel Johnson
JDF: Jerome Laird, Shezwayne Thompson, Demar Williams, Shamarr Creary, Raphael Lawrence, Shamr Burrell, Steve Miller, Rageek Siley, Jerome Williams, Geovannie Brown, Jowayne Forbes, David Scott, Roydell Reid, Romario Wright, Romell Flemming, Jaheim Davis, Javian Hall
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