Mike Henry, minister of transport and works. - File

Humble Lions will be among the teams hunting a spot in the National Premier League for next season.

On Sunday, they beat Bodles of St Catherine 3-2 on penalties in the South Central Confederation final at Brancourt.

Regulation and extra time had produced a pulsating 2-2 draw before a large crowd, with both teams wasting opportunities to clinch the winner.

failed

The Clarendon team had failed in several attempts within the past five years to reach this far, including losing in a final to present Premier League team, Sporting Central, two seasons ago. Watched by their lately installed manager - Transport Minister Mike Henry - Humble Lions rallied from a two-goal deficit early in the first half to draw level.

The championship win was a real triumph over adversity for Humble Lions. They were rocked in the opening half of the season when long-time manager and financier Winston 'Whitey' Doharty was shot and killed. So devastated was the team then that the Clarendon FA had to request from the Confed a two-week break to reorganise the club, as well as to facilitate postponed games. Henry, the member of parliament for the Effortville area where the team is based, was then installed as manager/financier.

strategic plan

"It's just an outstanding feeling to watch them fight for this win given all they have been through," said Michael Ricketts, Clarendon FA president. Ricketts, however, said the task was not over as the bigger prize was yet to be won.

"As part of our strategic plan, we need another premier representative as Sporting cannot absorb all the talent we have in this parish," said Ricketts.

That dream looked derailed early when Jason Grant silenced the Clarendon crowd beating goalkeeper Waldo Ricketts in the second minute of play to give Bodles a stunning 1-0 lead. Vincent McBean poured more salt on the local wounds, again beating Ricketts in the 34th minute for a 2-0 lead.

shock into joy

A brace from Kimoy Davis, the first in the 38th minute and another eight minutes after the half-time break turned shock into joy, as Humble Lions made it 2-2. The Clarendon team was jolted when Kemar Mills, who played Premier League football for Tivoli last year, suffered a concussion in a collision with a Bodles player in the 91st minute and had to be taken to hospital.

Fortune favours the brave and luck would come their way when Bodles' Dave Betram, in the second half of extra-time, broke away with the best chance of the match, but an advancing Ricketts got the faintest of touches to deny him as he attempted to flick the ball over his head. Ricketts again would effect another crucial save when the kicks were taken and successful penalty strikes by teammates Keveral Stewart, Damion Barrett and Davis sealed the championship.