MVP! MVP! Norman Manley High School players hoist Kenneth Walters after their 24-8 victory over Jose Marti Technical in the final of the U-19 Schoolboy Rugby League at GC Foster College. - photo by Anthony Minott

Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Kenneth Walters rushed two tries (touchdowns) to lead Norman Manley High School to a resounding 24-8 victory over Jose Marti Technical in the final of the U-19 schoolboy rugby league at the G.C. Foster College on Saturday.

Jason Campbell, coach of Norman Manley, thought his team's discipline in the midst of adversities was the difference in the match.

"The game was very intense. Jose Marti came out better prepared for this game than when we met them earlier in the season. But, I think that our victory came about because we maintained our discipline and stuck to our set plays," Jason expressed.

Norman Manley's Walters used sheer pace to decimate the Jose Marti defense to open up the game for his side. His first try came about through explosive running with the ball from the midfield area and breaking to the corner and he was gone like the wind, diving in the grass to celebrate five points for his team. That made the game 14-5, as Henrick Groves converted the two-point kick.

Jose Marti's glimmer of hope came when Brian 'Sub-Zero' Spence kicked through the upright a three-point penalty kick to close the game to six points (14-8). But two more tries for Norman Manley in quick succession, one by Roger Hunter and the final one by Walters who was adjudged the most valuable player (MVP) of the final, knocked the steam out of the Jose Marti side, notwithstanding that they were playing with 12 to Norman Manley's 15, as three Jose Marti players were shown the red card by referee.

Try of the match

Jose Marti's Everton Richards scored the first try of the match, but the victors' Jermaine Leaird matched him with a try of his own.

Incidentally, all 32 points were scored in the second half. Richard Nolan, coach of Jose Marti, said the red cards hurt his team tremendously.

"We took the lead in the second half but we got a number of red cards and we came into the game with multiple injuries. But I am not using this has an excuse, congratulations to Jason Campbell."

At the end of the final Audie Forrest, national sales manager for Locker Room Sports, the main sponsor of the league, handed over cheques to the winning and runner-up teams.

Trophies and other prizes will be given out at an awards ceremony at a date to be announced.