Defending Island Soccer League (ISL) champions Union clawed their way back from the depths of despair in the CellularOne Red Division to book their ticket to the play-offs with a last day 8-7 win over the Royal.

The champions lost their opening four games of the season, and after last year's leading goalscorer Dennis Russell was kicked off the team, it looked like they wouldn't even make the next stage of the competition.

But a win over Arsenal last week meant they needed the same result against the Royal to grab the third and final spot.

Jahmel Swan, Shaki Pearman and Jason Furbert all scored twice for the Union, while Lashun Dill and Ricky Saltus bagged one each to ensure they went through.

Union progressed because they had a better goal difference than the Royal.

Darin Dowling scored a hat-trick for the Royal, while Jelani Butterfield notched a brace, while Keimo Bean and Joseph Butterfield both got solo strikes.

Division winners Kings ended the regular season with a loss to second placed Arsenal 9-6.

Doubles from Michael Parsons, Fabian Frankson, Daz Simons and Cornell Castle Jr. guided the side to victory.

Ralph Bean jr. added a lone strike.

Korvon Tucker scored a hat-trick for the Kings, while Vernon Perinchief, Lamar Crofton and Dion Stovell all hit one each.

In the ACE Blue Division, leaders Knights won via default 3-0 with Apex breaking playing rules as they fielded ineligible players.

Runners up Storm finished the regular season with a 16-4 thrashing of Titans.

Otis Minors scored four times, with Kwame Steede and Domico Coddington both notching hat-tricks.

Kevin Lambe scored twice, Dimitri Butterfield, Chris Caisey and two own goals were the other Storm scorers.

Kyle Jones scored a hat-trick for the Titans, who also got a goal from Kenji Griffith.

The ISL play-offs will be played on Saturday June 22 and Thursday June 24.

On June 26, the ISL championship match will be held.

All games will be staged at the National Sports Centre.

Saturday's Results

Knights 3 Apex 0

Storm 16 Titans 4

Union 8 Royal 7

Arsenal 9 Kings 6