The University of the West Indies (UWI) drew first blood in the 2010-2011 Intercollegiate Rugby League Championship, when they defeated defending champions G.C. Foster College 16-14 at the GC Foster campus on Thursday.

GC Foster entered the game as heavy favorites, however, it was UWI who drew first blood when power-house centre Trinidadian Nwadike Bacchus, muscled his way over the try line, for his first of two scores, in the 10th minute. Chad Simeon then slotted home the conversion to give the boys from Mona the lead.

G.C. Foster hit back in the 15th minute when Steven Scott showed good pace to outrun the UWI cover defence on the right side and secure the first points for the defending champions. However, Omar Davis missed the attempted conversion.

30th minute

There were two further scores to end the half as Bacchus secured his second try in the 30th minute, with Simeon once more slotting home the extra two points. G.C. Foster's player-coach Marlando Anderson drew his team closer when he replied six minutes later.

Davis missed his second conversion attempt and the half ended with UWI enjoying a 12-8 lead.

The second half was a low- scoring affair as both teams dug in with some good defensive work.

G.C. Foster took the lead in the 60th minute, when Davis scored a try directly under the goal post, this time he slotted home the conversion to give his team a 14-12 lead.

However, UWI had the last word when loose forward Alvin Edward bullied his way past three defenders and crashed over in the right corner for the game's final score with seven minutes remaining. Simeon missed the conversion attempt, but the boys from Mona showed excellent defensive discipline to keep out G.C. Foster in an action-packed last 10 minutes.

The competition continues today when the University of Technology faces the Mico University College at UTech.