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Saturday, April 18, 2026
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Hodgkins & Manly Held in Shute Shield Stalemate
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 Bermuda’s Jamin Hodgkins and his Manly Marlins teammates were forced to settle for a hard-fought 24-24 draw against Northern Suburbs as the Shute Shield season intensifies at Manly Oval.
In a classic North Shore derby, the Marlins showcased their attacking flair but were ultimately pegged back by a resilient "Norths" side in a seesaw encounter that kept the home crowd on edge until the final whistle.
The Marlins’ offense was spearheaded by a standout performance from Will Kaye, who proved to be a thorn in the Northern Suburbs' side throughout the afternoon. Kaye crossed the white line twice, showing exceptional pace to finish off two well-worked team movements.
Kaye’s contribution extended beyond his try-scoring exploits; he remained clinical with the boot, adding three conversions and a crucial penalty to ensure the Marlins stayed within touching distance during a physical second half. Billy Dickens provided the other try for the home side, burrowing over from close range following a dominant period of forward pressure.
In just his second appearance for the club, Bermudian international Jamin Hodgkins was handed the starting fly-half jersey. The 23-year-old, who arrived in Sydney this year with eyes on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, looked increasingly comfortable directing the Marlins' backline.
Hodgkins showed glimpses of the tactical maturity that made him a standout in Canada’s Pacific Pride system, varying his play well between a probing kicking game and flat, crisp distribution to his outside backs. While the Marlins will be disappointed not to have secured their first win of the campaign following their narrow opening-day defeat to the Hunter Wildfires, the composure shown by Hodgkins in the "number 10" shirt remains a significant positive for the club.
The result marks the first draw between these two traditional rivals in recent seasons, following a high-scoring 41-38 victory for Northern Suburbs just a year ago. For the Marlins, the 24-24 result leaves them hungry for a breakthrough win as they prepare for the next round of Shute Shield action.
With the foundations of a potent attacking game now established, Manly will look to tighten their defensive discipline as they aim to climb the ladder in what is widely regarded as Australia's premier club rugby competition.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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Bermuda Set for RAN U19 Championship in August
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Bermuda’s rising rugby stars are preparing to take their place on the international stage once more, as Rugby Americas North (RAN) confirmed the return of the Men’s Under-19 XVs Championship to Querétaro, Mexico.
The tournament serves as the final act of a three-year hosting bid by Federación Mexicana de Rugby, with the region's elite youth talent descending on the world-class FC Total facility. However, in a strategic shift caused by the 2026 FIFA World Cup logistical demands, the tournament has moved from its traditional mid-July slot to the first week of August to ensure smoother travel for the participating unions.
Bermuda has been among the first to confirm their involvement, signaling the island's continued commitment to the youth pathway. They will be joined by regional rivals the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, alongside hosts Mexico.
The competition for the Bermudian squad will be particularly fierce this year, with the United States confirmed to send their College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Men’s U19s. The American program is specifically designed as a high-performance bridge to their senior national team, elevating the standard of play expected in Querétaro.
The tournament is more than just a quest for silverware; it remains a vital developmental tool for the Bermuda Rugby Football Union. FMRU President Pablo Septien emphasized that the event provides "meaningful international minutes" for players, coaches, and match officials alike.
For the Bermudian youngsters, the opportunity to play fifteen-a-side rugby against varied tactical styles is essential for their progression into the senior ranks. As the programs across the Caribbean and North America continue to professionalize, the skill gap is closing, promising the most competitive age-grade tournament to date.
While the full competition format and pool stages are yet to be finalized, the confirmation of Bermuda's place in the draw ensures the island's rugby heritage continues to be represented at the highest regional level. All eyes now turn to the August heat of Mexico, where the next generation of Gombey Warriors will look to leave their mark.
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Friday, April 10, 2026
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Wildfires Edge Marlins in Dramatic Shute Shield Opener
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Jamin Hodgkins and the Manly Marlins fell just short in a high-scoring thriller as they opened their 2026 Shute Shield campaign with a 35-34 defeat to the Hunter Wildfires.
In a pulsating encounter at the Newcastle No. 2 Sports Ground, the Marlins were denied at the death in a game that swung relentlessly between two of the competition's most ambitious sides. For Hodgkins, the Bermudian fly-half making his highly anticipated debut, the match served as a baptism of fire in what is widely regarded as one of the world's premier semi-professional rugby leagues.
The Marlins started with intent, showcasing a fluid attacking game that put the Wildfires on the back foot early in the first half. However, the home side, buoyed by a vocal Newcastle crowd, responded with clinical precision, utilizing their physical forward pack to puncture the Manly defense.
The contest remained on a knife-edge throughout the second half, with both teams trading scores in a display of high-octane running rugby. Manly appeared to have the momentum heading into the final stages, but a late surge from the Wildfires proved decisive. Despite a desperate late push from the Marlins to snatch victory, the home side held firm to secure the points by the narrowest of margins.
While the result marks a disappointing start to the season for the Marlins, the performance of Hodgkins will provide plenty of encouragement. The 23-year-old, who arrived in Australia with the goal of strengthening his bid for the Canada national team ahead of the 2027 World Cup, looked composed in the number 10 jersey, directing play with tactical maturity and testing the Hunter line with his distribution.
Manly will not have long to dwell on the narrow loss as they return to home soil next weekend. The Marlins are set to host Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval on Saturday, 18 April, where they will look to register their first win of the season and get their 2026 campaign back on track.
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Saturday, April 04, 2026
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Desperate Day for Bermuda in Florida Sun
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A grueling second day at the Tropical Rugby Tournament saw Bermuda’s youth sides struggle to find their rhythm as the humidity and high-caliber opposition took their toll in Orlando.
After a testing opening day, the Under-14 boys faced a daunting schedule in the Consolation Pool C fixtures. Their morning began with a physical encounter against Golden Eagle Rugby. Despite flashes of individual brilliance and a spirited defensive effort in the opening stages, the Bermudians were unable to contain the expansive play of their opponents, eventually falling to a 29-7 defeat.
The momentum failed to shift in their second outing against Gorilla Rugby Black. The Bermuda youngsters found themselves starved of possession as the Gorilla pack dominated the breakdowns, leading to a relentless 34-7 scoreline in favor of the clinical American side. By the time the boys took to the field for their third match of the afternoon against USA West Blue, the physical demands of the tournament were clearly visible. While they managed to cross the whitewash for two tries, the USA West Blue squad proved too powerful, securing a 31-10 victory and leaving the Bermuda boys with a total of 94 points conceded across the day’s play.
On the other side of the complex, the U14 girls—competing under the Bermudianas banner—entered the day with high hopes after a promising run in the opening rounds. However, their quest for silverware was halted in a high-stakes Championship semi-final against a disciplined USA West outfit. The Bermudianas fought valiantly to bridge the gap, but the American side's pace on the wings proved decisive in a 24-7 result that sent the islanders into the bronze medal bracket.
The disappointment compounded in the third and fourth place playoff against the Celtic Barbarians of Canada. In a match defined by tactical kicking and fierce rucking, the Canadians managed to shut down the Bermudianas' attacking options. A lone converted try was the only response the island side could muster against a clinical Canadian offense, which pulled away to secure a 27-7 win. While the girls finish their campaign among the top four, both squads will head into the final recovery sessions reflecting on a day where the scoreboard proved a harsh judge of their efforts in the Florida heat.
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Friday, April 03, 2026
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Mixed Fortunes for Bermuda Tropical 7s Teams
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Bermuda’s youth rugby programme faced a stern physical test in Florida as the Under-14 Boys and Girls squads kicked off their campaigns at the prestigious Tropical Rugby Tournament.
On a day of high-intensity sevens action against some of North America’s premier developmental sides, the Bermudian contingent experienced the extreme highs and lows of elite regional competition.
It proved to be a punishing opening day for the Under-14 Boys, who found themselves on the back foot against significantly larger and more clinical opposition. Across three Pool B matches, the young Bermuda team were outscored 90–24, struggling to find a consistent rhythm in the humid Florida conditions.
The day began with a bruising encounter against the USA Rugby South Panther Academy, who cruised to a dominant 34–5 victory. That defensive frailty was further exposed in their second outing, a clinical 34–0 shutout at the hands of the Assassins Academy.
However, there was a glimmer of hope in their final fixture of the afternoon. Facing the Utah Yeti, Bermuda produced their most cohesive attacking display of the day, pushing the Western side to the brink before narrowly falling in a 22–19 thriller.
In contrast, the Under-14 Girls enjoyed a blistering start to their Pool B schedule, recording two impressive victories before the momentum began to shift in the afternoon heat.
The girls opened their account with a comprehensive 27–10 win over Hawkeyes Academy, showcasing impressive pace out wide. They followed that up with arguably the result of the day—a gritty 24–19 win over the highly-rated USA Rugby South Panther Academy.
However, as the grueling schedule took its toll, the tide began to turn. A disciplined Utah Cannibals side inflicted a 24–14 defeat in the third round, before Bermuda’s day ended with a hard-fought 22–14 loss to Atlantis Rugby.
Despite the mixed results, the exposure to the speed and physicality of the U.S. academy system provides a vital developmental benchmark for both squads. With pool play now concluded, the focus shifts to the knockout brackets, where Bermuda will look to refine their defensive structures and rediscover the scoring touch that sparked the girls' early success.
For the boys, the priority remains ball retention and defensive organization after a difficult introduction to the tournament’s pace. For the girls, the challenge will be maintaining the high-octane energy that saw them topple one of the tournament's heavyweights in the opening session.
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