The Jamaica Rugby League Association’s 2012 national club championship kicked off this weekend, with eight teams challenging for supremacy. The sides will face each other in a round robin format that will last over two and a half months. The top four will then advance to the semi-finals, with the two winners playing for the title on September 8th.

"It was a very pleasing start to the season," said JRLA Director of Football Romeo Monteith. "It was competitive all round and all the matches were completed with full squads."

In the opening week of the competition, defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks edged GC Foster College 20-18 in a tense match at the GC Foster College grounds. GC Foster put in a solid effort with their tries coming from Othneil Holness with two, Marlando Anderson and Ryan Spence who also added a goal. The Red Sharks showed their mettle as touchdowns from Fabion Turner with a brace, Jermaine Pinnock and Nathan Campbell were enough to see them home, Kemoy Whyte kicking two conversions.

In the second game played at GC Foster College, the Jamaica Defence Force defeated Portmore Suns 26-14. The Suns had several opportunities to spring a major upset but were let down by two many errors from their young charges.

In games played at Campion College, last year’s beaten finalists Vauxhall Old Boys showed they mean business with an 82-8 demolition of debutants St. Andrew Renegades. Vauxhall were lead by Tyronie Rowe who smashed his way to five tries. The Renegades were encouraged after getting on the score board through their Bahamian winger Jordon Issaacs and local flyer Troy Hinds but they squandered five other clear cut chances.

In the second game at Campion, Maxfield Star Steppers powered their way to a 46-17 victory over a spirited Spanish Town Vikings outfit. The Star Steppers were led by Renaldo Wade with four tries, while for Spanish Town, veteran scrum half Smeathan Tapper crossed twice.