Undefeated League Champions Renegades looked to repeat last years incredible feat of sweeping the Trophy Cabinet and going unbeaten, while the Teachers firmly in the role of underdogs fielded a patch work team of youth and veterans looked to upset the apple cart.
Referee Niso Myo new on the island from Zimbabwe RFU started the game under grey skies and blustery winds.
Teachers started promisingly and dominated the early exchanges, with scrum half Chris Naylor provided a decent ball to spin out to the dangerous back led by Patrick Calow.
Renegades absorbed the initial onslaught and a mercurial break by Tom Healy saw the Renegades gain the ascendancy.
Some strong mauling drive deeper into the Teachers half and resulted in a Penalty. Renegades showed their intent with a chip to the corner and a text book drive at the line out was thwarted by an obstruction call. Using the wind Teachers gratefully cleared their line.
Renegades soon were back in the danger zone and some strong scrummaging saw space created out wide for Renegades captain Richard Cumbers go over for an unconverted Try.
Renegades domination continued up front, after a brief case of exchanges between Aldo Campbell and Jamie Baum the league champions drove forward again and a well recycled ball saw a Try scored by prop Simon Pettler, National Team coach Brian Archibold kicked the Conversion for a 12-0 lead.
Another line out and drive saw the ball recycled for Archibold to score in the corner to put the Renegades ahead 17-0.
Another textbook drive from the line out saw Connor McGlynn extend the Renegades lead to 22 - 0.
Sustained Renegades pressure saw the ball worked out wide again and touched down in the corner by full back Ben Wilshaw to take the half time score to 27-0 in a lopsided affair.
With Teachers pride at stake the men in Red picked their game up and started the half strong and after a good run by prop Pernell Brangman speedster David McHugh powered over to make the score 27 - 5.
The score invigorated Teachers but they could not get the necessary continuity to break through.
A typical counter attack by the fleet Jamie Baum all but extinguished any hope of an epic come back when he scored against the run of play, the Conversion was missed but the Renegades had a commanding 32 - 5 lead.
A new nice eight-nine set piece move off an attacking scrum saw Healy touch down between the post for a Converted Try making it 39 - 5.
Jahan Cedenio smashed through weak tackling to score between the posts for the Renegades and Phil Hall knocked over the Conversion for a well deserved 46 - 5 Nicholl Shield victory.
The epic win caps off a remarkable run by the Renegades who have now repeated "the double" two years in a row.
In a high tempo Scully Cup game Mariners displayed their mastery of the basics and went through their cycles in an organized efficient manner. Teachers usual high standard of handling skills was inconsistent, with untimely dropped balls and poor passes undid useful territory gains.
In the end the Mariners Ladies romped to a comprehensive victory as confidence grew as the Try’s mounted. Two first half Try’s and a third by speedster Deneka Borden put Mariners firmly in the driving seat.
Teachers battled gamely but could not break down a well organized Mariners defense.
Referee Terry Maderios' final whistle saw the Mariners get revenge for last years epic over time final with a very well deserved 3-0 Cup final victory.
