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Monday, October 07, 2024
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Hodgkins Kicks 17 Points in Luctonians Win
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Jamin Hodgkins and his Luctonians Rugby teammates continued their winning ways with an excellent all-round performance against a spirited Macclesfield side in front of another vocal crowd at Mortimer Park winning 59 - 5.
Luctonians were superb throughout, no more so than in defense when Macclesfield were in their red zone, and they repelled their advances on more than one occasion. And when they turned on the afterburners, they ran riot scoring 9 tries with Macc managing just the one as consolation.
The home side were playing in orange shirts as part of their excellent ‘Luctonians in Orange’ Charity Day, when the players' shirts would be auctioned off following the game.
Luctonians were on the scoreboard as early as the 2nd minute, when Lewis Parkes collected a deft James Mear dink-kick to touch down. Hodgkins kicked the extras as he collated another 17-point haul, all from the tee in what was another kicking masterclass.
Hodgkins increased Luctonians’ lead to 10-0 when he added a penalty on 8 minutes, before Conor Geraghty stole through to score, when put through by Joe White and Owien Harriott-Davis, to give the home side a 17-0 advantage.
Macclesfield gamely challenged but failed to gain any meaningful ground, throwing bodies into the Luctonians back line. But the home side were resolute and turned defense into attack when the marauding Owien Harriott-Davis, who was superb throughout, crashed through the Macc defense on 35 minutes to give them a 24-0 lead at oranges, with Hodgkins converting. This after Oliver Longmore for Macclesfield had seen yellow for foul play.
Luctonians turned on the style straight away after half time when Man of the Match Caleb Montgomery was over the whitewash, following a loose line out throw from Macc within a minute of the re-start, to increase the lead to 31-0; Hodgkins again immaculate from the tee.
James Mear went over on 46 minutes, following Owen Randell’s awareness to spot a hole in the Macc defense, and Montgomery and Harriott-Davis combined to put Lewis Parkes away again on 51 minutes, for his second score of the game; Hodgkins converting for the home side to lead 45-0. But he spoiled his copybook performance soon after when he saw yellow for a high tackle.
Despite being down to 14, Luctonians continued to impress, and the explosive Owen Randell somehow wriggled his way over the line before taking on the kicking duties to nail the extras to lead 52-0. This was following Macclesfield’s only contribution to the score when George Boughey somehow found a way over just after the hour for their sole 5 points.
Luctonians wound up the last 10 minutes in full control, as they had been for most of the game, composed and showing at times some excellent handling, not least with their final try from Caleb Montgomery at the death. But this was after Jack Goodwin had also contributed with his touch down a few minutes earlier, converted by Randell to make it 59-5. Montgomery’s try was superb as it involved Luctonians moving the ball at pace, and with superb handling, across their back line to end what had been an excellent team performance.
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Saturday, October 05, 2024
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BRFU Mad Hatters Tournament Round-Up
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The Bermuda Rugby Football Season got underway at the National Sports Center with the Mad Hatters Tournament.
Women’s Division
Teachers Ladies were crowned the Women’s Division Mad Hatters Champions after picking up two wins and rookie Sammy Dill earning MVP honors.
Teachers Ladies defeated the Police Ladies 7 - 5, the Teachers Ladies got a Try from Heidi Groves and a Conversion from Lysmeiri Santana, while the Police Ladies Try came from Oliva Smart.
The Teachers Ladies then defeated the Renegades Ladies 12 - 5, the got two Try’s from Santana, and a single Try from Jordan Mallory, with Santana adding a Conversion, Laura Mulligan scored the lone Try for the Renegades Ladies.
The Police Ladies shut out the Renegades Ladies 7 - 0, Ciara Izzic scored th eTry for the Police Ladies, with Anna Hutchinson adding the Conversion.
Men’s Division
The Police defeated the Teachers 19 - 17, with the Police claiming the Mad Hatters Men’s Title.
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Monday, September 30, 2024
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Borden Elected Chair of BRFU Referees’ Society
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The Bermuda Rugby Football Union is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deneka Borden as the new Chair of the BRFU Referees’ Society. This appointment marks another historic landmark for Bermuda Rugby, as Borden becomes the first woman to hold the position, reflecting her exemplary leadership and dedication to the sport.
Borden’s rugby journey began in 2009 with Mariners RFC, and since then, her passion for the game has driven her to excel as a player, captain, coach, and most recently, Bermuda’s first female referee. She is not only a celebrated athlete, having earned multiple Player of the Year titles and international caps, but is also an inspiring athlete and coach for the next generation of young women coming through the ranks and is playing a pivotal role in advancing women’s rugby in Bermuda.
“I am both honored and delighted to step into this new role to continue building on the solid foundation set by my predecessors who have dedicated years of service to rugby in Bermuda,” said Borden. “With the support of our team, we are committed to furthering the development and growth of the sport, and I look forward to the upcoming rugby season with great anticipation.”
Borden’s contributions to rugby in Bermuda are vast and multifaceted. As a former captain and coach of Mariners RFC, she has mentored and developed countless players, and her leadership was instrumental in the establishment of Bermuda’s first Women’s contact team – an achievement that laid the groundwork for the growth of women’s contact rugby on the island. In addition to her playing and coaching accomplishments, Borden has earned the respect of her peers in her transition to a referee, upholding the integrity of the game and promoting fair play on the field.
John Weale, a veteran international referee and former Referee Manager for Rugby Americas North, expressed his enthusiasm for Borden’s appointment. “I am really excited by Borden’s election as Chair of the BRFU Referees’ Society, as she will undoubtedly bring a new perspective and fresh energy to the role. I look forward to supporting her, particularly in the areas of coaching and the development of new referees.”
Outgoing Chair of the Referees’ Society, Jamie Baum, shared his confidence in Borden’s abilities, stating, “After four years in the post, I am super excited to pass on the reins to Borden. I know she will put her all into it and really leave her mark. I wish her all the success as she takes on this new role.”
Borden’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Bermuda Rugby, as the BRFU Referees’ Society continues its efforts to grow the referee pool and foster the development of the sport at all levels. Her leadership, commitment to inclusivity, and strategic vision make her the ideal person to lead the Referees’ Society into a new era.
Borden joins a growing number of women leaders in the sport – and as she steps into this significant role, the BRFU are confident that her passion for rugby and her dedication to its growth, particularly among women and future generations, will continue to elevate the sport in Bermuda.
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Sunday, September 29, 2024
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Hodgkins Helps Luctonians to Victory
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Jamin Hodgkins and his Luctonians Rugby Football Club teammates defeated basement side Devonport Services 39 - 21 at the Rectory Field.
It was somewhat an arm-wrestle of an opening 40 minutes, with both teams keen on securing territory over a desire to throw the ball around, and it made for a tactical battle of wits.
Aiden Taylor wriggled over from close quarters to give the home side an early lead and while Luctonians replied twice before the break – through Jack Goodwin and Caleb Montgomery – there was no daylight on the scoreboard, Luctonians in front through Hodgkins’ boot.
And it was Hodgkins who came to the fore as the game wore on, the full-back enjoying a fine afternoon from the tee and with the ball in hand.
His contribution of 14 points was enough to nip Services momentum in the bud, and he played a key role in a number of Luctonians tries.
The source of all the scorers, though, was the back-row with open-side James Mear grabbing a brace, alongside a second for Goodwin.
Services Richard West also enjoyed an excellent game – scoring 15 of his side’s points – but his team’s wait continues for a first win of the season.
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Sunday, September 22, 2024
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Hodgkins Kicks 14 Points in Luctonians Win
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Jamin Hodgkins and his Luctonians Rugby Football Club teammates defeated Clifton Rugby 37 - 15 in their first home game of the season in front of superb vocal home supporters.
Heavy rain before kick-off threatened to make the pitch a mud bath, but the rain swept through rapidly and the game was played at a good pace throughout. Luctonians opening their account after 11 minutes when center Lewis Parkes fed off a line out ball to dive over, with the immaculate Hodgkins kicking the first of his 14 points from the resultant conversion.
Ollie Milliner reduced the arrears after 18 minutes when he kicked a penalty following a Luctonians high tackle, but it was to be their only points of the first half as Luctonians dominated possession.
Clifton were not however giving any ground advantage, but the penalty count was high for both sides. And it was from infringements in front of the posts that Hodgkins slotted 2 quick Penalties for the home side after 32 and 36 minutes to give them a 13-3 lead. Caleb Montgomery for the home side then stole away from a driving maul right on half time to give Luctonians a 20-3 lead, with Hodgkins converting which gave Luctonians a 20 - 3 half time lead.
It wasn’t long into the second half before Jack Goodwin also dived through following a line out, to add to Luctonians lead making it 25 - 3 with the away side losing Henry Harper to a yellow for foul play in the build-up.
Clifton however kept the home side honest when they replied almost immediately with a well worked try that saw Alex Kilbane dot down; Milliner adding the extras for 25-10 scoreline. Luctonians set piece however was excellent and, from another driving maul, Joe White was also over the whitewash on 56 minutes to secure Luctonians Try bonus point to lead 30 - 10.
But Clifton continued to give the home side a battle, despite them losing Mitchell Spencer to a yellow for ‘slapping’ down the ball in an interception after 56 minutes. It wasn’t until Josh Watkins scored the try of the game following a flowing move across the pitch on 63 minutes, with Charlie Grimes and Josh Nott playing a leading role in putting the winger in the corner; with Hodgkins kicking a excellent conversion to lead 39 - 10.
Luctonians didn’t take the result for granted and they had to grind out the last 15 minutes with Clifton looking to get something out of the match. The home side lost Caleb Montgomery to a yellow on 68 and Conor Geraghty for foul play followed him on 76, seeing the home side play most of the last 15 minutes 2 players down.
This allowed Clifton , through Jamel Hamiliton to round off the day’s scoring 39 - 15 with the last play for a consolation Try on 80 minutes.
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