Naps, Pres in South InterCol final.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).[/size]
Naparima College and Presentation College will battle for the RBTT InterCol South Zone title on Friday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium after winning their semi-finals against St Benedict's College and Siparia Secondary, respectively, at the same venue yesterday. Both teams showed character to overturn deficits in the first half, "Naps" running away with a 4-2 victory thanks to three second half goals, while "Pres" pushed past Siparia after falling behind early on.
In the second match of the double-header, Naparima opened their account in the tenth minute, striker Nigel Wright outmuscling a defender then beating St Benedict's goalie Kareem Gray to his left to spark loud celebrations.
St Benedict's showed glimpses of their intention when midfielder Dwayne Edwards broke into the area, only to misfire, in the 17th.
Eight minutes later they were level, Edwards playing in Kern Alexander on the left of the 18-metre area with a beautiful defence-splitting pass and the latter coolly rounded onrushing Naps goalie Curtis Julien, slotting into an open net.
St Benedict's had a possible upset in sight when Julien was beaten again, this time Edwards himself controlling and blasting past the custodian from 20 metres out.
Naps were not prepared to let the South double get beyond them, though, and Anthony Parris took advantage of a defensive mistake to pull his team level. Another goal from Wright in the 68th, after a neat one-two with substitute Amale Quashie, and then a gem of an effort from Shahdon Winchester, which included him skilfully eluding four defender before calmly burying his low shot behind Gray, and in the process, St Benedict's hopes of a final berth.
Pres themselves were given good food for thought after underestimating Siparia. Kevin Flanders made sure of that in the tenth minute, rifling past Terrence Ramsaroop in Presentation's goal. But a pair of strikes by skipper Akeem Marshall (20th) and Jamal Clarence (41st) past Siparia's midfielder-turned-goalie Chris Collins, who hardly looked up for the job, gave Pres a 2-1 advantage at the half.
By the time Siparia brought on their regular 'keeper, Nicholas Bhola, at halftime, it was too late. They showed some spunk to level proceedings in the 48th through Shermon Alexander, but in the 68th, Marshall made sure his team survived to contest Friday's final with a well-crafted effort and end Siparia's spirited resistance.
Today, attention turns to the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, where Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive and Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive battle for top honours in the Central Zone InterCol final from 4 p.m. The Tobago Zone final will also be played today at 4 p.m., with Scarborough Secondary taking on Speyside Secondary at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Presentation: - Terrence Ramsaroop; Stefan Spears, Arvid Applewhite, Keon Francois, Akeem Adams (Aaron Hector 86th); Jerome Diaz, Neshav Gookool, Akida Boissiere, Akile Jeffery (Reneford Martin 75th); Jamal Clarence, Akeem Marshall (capt).
Coach: Nevick DeNoon.
