Somerset rang in the new year in splendid fashion, ending 14 years of frustration, as they lifted the Dudley Eve Trophy for the first time with a 2-0 second-leg victory over PHC at St. David's yesterday for a 3-1 aggregate win.

Two superbly-taken goals on either side of the interval by Dwight Basden and Kenny Thompson assured the west-enders of travelling home laden with the one piece of silverware they so desperately wanted.

"We proved ourselves to be the best team in the tournament and I'm happy that we were able to win the cup after trying to for so long,'' Somerset coach Larry Hunt said after the match. "Yesterday (Thursday) we had a meeting where everybody was really focussed and knew that if we were going to win the cup, this year had to be it.'' After an exhilarating first leg on Wednesday night at Somerset CC the two sides were never able to rise to those heights.

The Zebras in particular appeared to have exhausted all their reserves in that first match and just did not have anything left to offer.

"Today we just really didn't want it right from the start,'' said midfielder Frank Ming, one of several Zebras playing hurt. "I don't know if it was the injuries or from playing so many games. There were a lot of little factors that affected our ability to raise our standard.

"Not to take anything away from Somerset, they deserved it...they were more hungry.'' With over 2,000 -- mostly dreary-eyed -- spectators on hand hoping to be awakened by another catatonic battle between these two cup giants the match got off to an inauspicious start.

The first 10 minutes yielded little in terms of action as both teams took a cautious approach.

PHC fired the first warning in the 11th minute when they forced a corner on the left side but Dano Outerbridge grazed his header wide.

To emphasise the dullness of the match up until this point the loudest cheers came on account of a crunching tackle by Somerset midfielder Reggie Tucker on opposing full-back Noel Hayward.

Nevertheless the players would soon awaken from their slumber and provide a better display of attacking soccer.

Another corner by Swan after 24 minutes found the head of his nephew, Mark Smith, but he too was denied as the ball sailed inches over the crossbar.

Not to be outdone the Trojans stormed right back at the other end. Jerry Webb gained possession on the left before centering to an onrushing Basden in the penalty area. But a slip at the vital moment allowed Ming to rob the striker of possession and avert the danger.

Two minutes later the fingertips of goalkeeper Ty Williams were all that prevented Somerset from taking the lead as Rodney Bascome attempted to sneak a shot in at the far post following a Thompson corner.

Somerset found gaping holes in a Zebras' defence clearly missing the leadership of injured skipper Mike Dill. Webb in particular gave right-back Hayward a tortuous time on the left flank while Bascome worked Roderick Lewis over on the right.

However, it took Bascome switching to the left for Somerset to finally break the deadlock four minutes before half-time.

Bascome redeemed himself for an earlier miss as he wriggled his way past two defenders and drove a low cross into the middle, which Basden directed past Williams, still anchored at the near post.

Shawn Simons was introduced to start the second half in an effort to boost a sagging PHC attack that had found the Somerset defence almost impenetrable.

The move almost paid dividends in the 53rd minute, only the alertness of Winslow Williams preventing Simons from getting off a header on the end of a curling cross by Dano Outerbridge.

Meanwhile for Somerset it was the same story as in the first with them pouring through the Zebras defence almost at will. On at least four occasions Somerset were able to elude the offside trap and have a player run unmolested at goal.

Basden received a free chance in the 61st minute when he outsprinted his marker, cut in and fired at goal, but Williams was equal to the task, saving with his feet.

Somerset were clearly dominant and Thompson assured that the cup travelled west as he rocketed a 20-yard shot through a maze of players into the bottom left corner 17 minutes from time.

"We wanted to win this cup and dedicate it to guys like Larry Simmons and Dennis Brown who have been around for so long and never won this cup,'' said Thompson.

Somerset: W.Williams; B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson; K.Thompson, R.Tucker, S.Morrisey; J.Webb, R.Bascome, D.Basden (B.Kirkpatrick, 63 mins).

PHC: T.Williams; N.Hayward, R.Lewis, D.Douglas, D.Outerbridge; O.Steede, F.Ming, K.Mills; M.Trott (S.Russell, 59 mins), S.Swan, M.Smith (S.Simons, 45 mins).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Rodney Bascome (Somerset); Sammy Swan (PHC).

ON THE RUN -- Somerset forward Rodney Bascome leaves Roderick Lewis in his tracks in yesterday's action at St. David's.

ON THE BALL -- Somerset's Kenny Thompson tries to turn the corner against PHC defender Frank Ming.