By Orville Wright
Grand Bahia Principe are the best football team among those in the St Ann/ St Mary Business House football competition, sponsored by Sandals.
They defeated National Water Commission 5-4 on penalties, after the scores were tied in regulation and extra time at the finals on Thursday, September 1, 2016.
It was the second match in a row that Bahia had prevailed by way of penalties after getting past defending champions Couples, to seal a place in the finals against NWC.
Both teams played the full ninety minutes and an extra 30 minutes but neither could find the crucial goal to separate them.
The final match of the league at Drax Hall sports complex saw a massive turn out of supporters for Bahia and the water men.
Grand Bahia Principe were the dominant players on the field with a greater possession of the ball and had more opportunities to score goals but failed to capitalize on their chances. Travaughn Gallimore #7 one of Grand Bahia Principe’s star players played a very good game despite not giving or leading his team to a goal. Gallimore was excellent in his tackling. Coach of Grand Bahia, Stacey Benjamin was determined to leave with the trophy as she tried her best to urge her players to take shots at the goal.
Coach of NWC, David Pryce seemed calm as he watched from the sidelines. Segree Murray #9 of NWC also played well in his final appearance. As the match went on supporters were on their feet upon seeing several near misses and potential goals by both teams, especially Grand Bahia Principe.
The action took a dip toward the end of the first half, as both sides seemed to be drained of energy.
On the commencement of the second half an altercation between two players from both teams turned into a fight which forced police officers onto the field to intervene. Both players were given red cards by the match referee, this left each team with 10 men.
Several shots, fantastic tackles and passes were executed by the hotel and water men but nothing lead to any goals, at the end of the 90 minutes the score line still remained at 0-0.
. On the start of extra time the players began to tire and a few substitutions had to be made. Despite the changes this still did not alter the score line.
It was time for penalties. Grand Bahia is known for taking good penalties and their goal keeper Rauel Wilson once again proved himself to be the best goal keeper in the league by saving one penalty taken by NWC. This gave Grand Bahia the advantage and the victory to a 5-4 win.
Pandemonium broke out on the final kick as Grand Bahia Principe claimed the title of the 2016 St Ann/ St Mary Business House Football Champions.
In the earlier m
atch Couples Sans Souci placed third in the league after defeating Couples Tower Isle 1-0.
