The University of Technology produced an efficient performance to hold off the challenge of the Mico University College in an action packed game at UTech. 

The fast growing sport of Rugby League was introduced to Mico in September 2010, and the aspiring student teachers showed remarkable courage to hold UTech scoreless for the opening twenty minutes of the encounter. The men from Mico did not shy away from making crucial tackles early in the game and UTech were surprised by the level of resistance shown by a team playing their first game of Rugby League.

The dead lock was only broken when UTech and Jamaican international scrum-half Damon Gayle outflanked  Mico’s defense on the right side and raced in for the game’s first 4-pointer. The conversion attempt was slotted home by Matthew Simms as Utech held a 6-0 advantage.

Mico seemed disheartened to concede the points and their tackles were noticeably less aggressive. This allowed UTech to build on their momentum and 3 tries by Andrew Smith, Nathan Campbell and Simms, plus one successful conversion, saw UTech hold a 20-0 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Mico’s captain Oshane Eddie displayed remarkable courage and skill to bring his team back into the game. He scored two brilliant individual tries within 10 minutes of the restart to see his team trail 8-20. 

However, Utech mounted an effective counter attack by utilizing speed demon Manning Marsh on the wings; the former outstanding  St. Catherine High  player scored two quick tries in the 60^th and 64^th minutes to effectively kill any hope Mico had. He was supported by Kemoy Whyte  and Campbell who scored his second in the dying minutes of the game. Whyte and Simms scored two conversions to see last year’s beaten finalists emerge 40-8 winners.

The competition continues on Thursday, February 10^h, when the University of Technology hosts GC Foster and the University of the West Indies welcomes Mico.