PHC 3 Wolves 1 PHC became the first local team to win the Premier Division league title the year after being promoted...but they left it late at Somerset after Wolves looked determined to spoil the party.

It's been a tremendous season for the Zebras who started the campaign looking to survive in their first season back in the top division. Six months later they are celebrating a league championship -- and could add the Friendship trophy to it -- after sustaining a title run that probably surprised even themselves.

"We were just thinking about surviving, that's all I had had to do when I took the job on,'' said Swan. "The team has done better than just survive and I'm just grateful and happy for the guys. A lot of them haven't had this opportunity before. The best part about it is coming straight from the Second Division.'' The stage had been set for PHC's fairytale run to the title, coming into this game holding a two-point lead over North Village who had a better goal difference. As a result PHC needed a victory as it was expected that the Red Devils would beat already relegated Boulevard in their match at Bernard Park.

And when the news was received that Village were leading, while PHC were being held 0-0, the anxiety was starting to show in the PHC camp. Twice this match came to life with two goals in the space of three minutes, first when PHC's opener by Raynell Lightbourne was wiped out by Nathan Webb's quick equaliser.

Then, when the chance for victory looked to have been blown, PHC struck with two unanswered goals in the last 10 minutes of the game through Stanton Lewis and player-coach Sammy Swan to make certain Wolves stayed down for the count.

The title is PHC's eighth.

Wolves, even without Nakia Smith who wasn't allowed to play because the club hadn't brought his ID card to the ground, were determined to make it a competitive match, as was evidenced by Vic Ball's booking for a bad tackle on Corey Smith just two minutes into the game.

Wolves had an early setback when Torry Davis went off with a foot injury after just 10 minutes following after he went to the ground in pain after trying to control a blast upfield by goalkeeper Hewvonnie Brown.

Certainly Wolves, the first team to beat PHC in the league this season, were making things difficult for the league leaders as they matched them with aggression and determination.

But finally PHC found an opening in the 52nd minute when the ball was knocked around inside the Wolves box and Lightbourne calmly sidefooted it inside the far post to make it 1-0.

However, that lead only lasted three minutes as Wolves equalised to silence the PHC fans. Mark (Beaver) Ray drove a freekick to the far post from the left corner of the box and Webb stabbed it home.

Knowing their hopes hinged on another goal, PHC quickly introduced Kenny Mills for midfielder Vic Ball as midfielder Chris Furbert shot inches over the bar.

But it was Wolves, like an irritating itch, who kept making things difficult as they went close to adding a second goal themselves when Ray's freekick was collected by 'keeper Carlyle Crockwell. Seconds later at the other end, Brown dived full length to his right to stop Mallory's crisp shot.

The goal that would prove to be the winner came in the 80th minute when a cross from the right reached Stanton Lewis at the far post and his left-footed drive took a deflection before going in at the far post. Lewis, realising the importance of the goal, ran the length of the pitch to hug his 'keeper.

A third goal came in the 83rd minute to settle the issue, and it was fitting that Swan, who came out of retirement midway through the season to end the team's slump, should score.

A pass came across the box from Furbert and Swan shaped up and unleashed a volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

There was no coming back for Wolves after that, though Swan praised them for the way they made PHC battle for the points.

"They played hard and gave us a terrible scare,'' Swan admitted.

"It was just a matter of getting the guys going because they had never been in this position before. We were nervous and it took a while for the team to get going.

"I just want the same thing for the players that I had in my time and hopefully my club will get back to that position.'' PHC: C.Crockwell; S.Lewis, R.Lewis, H.Tucker, A.Washington, C.Furbert, O.Steede, V.Ball (K.Mills 57 min), R.Mallory (M.Smith 72min), R.Lightbourne, S.Swan.

Wolves: H.Brown; C.Smith, L.Simmons, A.Thomas, S.Waldron, T.Davis (C.Lopes 10min), M.Ray, J.Peniston, K.Smith, N.Webb, C.Davis (R.Ebbin 75 min).

Referee: Gary Cook Men of the match: Stanton Lewis (PHC), Anthony Thomas (Wolves) Yellow cards: Vic Ball, Chris Furbert (PHC), Sekai Waldron, Corey Smith, Anthony Thomas (Wolves).

Photos by Ras Mykkal Stan's the man: Stanton Lewis celebrates his vital goal for league champions PHC yesterday.