City, made up of players from Kingston and St Andrew, defeated St Catherine 22-16 in game one of the Parish of Residence series at the Barbican Football Field.

The two-match series will help select the best 25 players in the country, who will represent the semi-professional Hurricanes Rugby League squad for 2016 and also serve as a trial for selection to the national team.

Kenneth Walker scored two tries for the victors who were ahead throughout, Joseph Shae and Renaldo Wade with a touchdown each, scrum-half Ryan Grant kicking three conversions. St. Catherine’s scores came from Antonio Baker with a try double and Chevaughn Bailey, while Stephen Scott and Bailey each kicked a goal.

Hurricanes general manager Roy Calvert was pleased with the showing from both teams. “POR is a concept that began in 2014, it is catching on for our players, fans and sponsors and can only get bigger,” he said. “The finale on May 14 at Barbican will be great and we are hoping to see the crowd of 300 doubling.”

Hooker Marvin Thompson and veteran reggae warrior Romaen Campbell were the pick for the City team, whilst young debutant second rower Paul Terrelonge, from the University of Technology, was the surprise package for St Catherine.

Prior to the senior match, an historic representative game was played between the parish academy teams (U19) of Kingston and St Andrew against St. Mary, which saw the latter claim a 34-16 win.