Mariners Spirit Day started under sunny blustery skies with a good crowd present at the Warwick Academy School Field.
The Mariners took on The Rest, with the Mariners picking up the 21 – 14 win.
Both team were full of returning student rugby players and the pace of the frenetic game reflected the youth exuberance if not experience.
Dustin Archibald powered over from 2 meters out, and when Jamie Hodgkins Converted it gave the Mariners a 7 – 0 lead.
The Mariners continued the early dominance in the match with some good play with Jamie Baum working his way in the back to touch down for a Try and Hodgkins kicked the Conversion making it 14 – 0.
The Mariners who have struggled this year with so many players abroad, but now back on island the players continued to dazzle and some slick ball handling and they rewarded themselves when Jacques de Verteuil scored a Try in the corner and Hodgkins’ fine day with boot continued as he slotted the sideline Conversion, sending the Mariners into the halftime break with a well-deserved 21 – 0 lead.
Halftime speech by Coach Patrick Calow had a desired effect for The Rest who started off the second half with some good play resulted in Nick Pell powering over to get The Rest on the board, and with George Pete adding the Conversion it made the score 21 - 7.
Some committed defense by Mariners denied Darren Richardson two Try’s as he was held up both times.
The pressure mounted and The Rest finally converted with a fine move put in the scrum half in from 5m out to score a Converted Try, making the score to 21-14 in a highly entertaining game.
Both sides played in great spirits as the Mariners held on for the 21 - 14 win.
