Somerset won the Bantam triple crown for the second straight year yesterday when they retained the Crystal Palace Youth Cup at National Stadium.

The young Trojans, who also won the league and Bantam Knockout titles, held on for victory after leading 2-1 at the half.

Somerset broke the deadlock after just five minutes when Perry Jones shot first time into the far corner from the left side of the penalty box after defender Lacann Berkeley was slow in clearing.

Dandy Town equalised in the 11th minute just seconds after a free kick by Somerset's Marco Butterfield found Devon Dent who put a header against the crossbar. The tying goal came when the unchallenged Shumari Gilbert drove a low shot inside goalkeeper Marcel Dill's right-hand post.

Dandy Town had a shot cleared off the Somerset line from a free kick, which beat Dill in the 15th minute and at the other end Kwame Tucker curled a left-foot shot against the bar following a quick break.

Somerset scored their winner in the 33rd minute from a corner on the left when Harry Hunt found the net with a header at the far post.

Chae Simmons of Town and Keion Simmons of Somerset were outstanding in midfield for their respective teams.

In the second half Damian Thompson of Somerset had a long-range shot tipped over the bar while Alan Hypolite of Town volleyed just over the top after a quick attack.

Then Gilbert glanced a header wide of the far post as Town sought a late equaliser.

Somerset: M.Dill, J.Smith, H.Hunt, N.Woods, D.Thompson, P.Jones (S.Oughton, 61 mins), D.Dent, K.Simmons, M.Butterfield, D.Showers (J.Best, 54 mins), K.Tucker.

Dandy Town: J.Valadao; J.Marshall, N.Shakir, L.Berkeley, R.Gibbons (Q.Jones, 54 mins), S.Whitter, C.Simmons, S.Gilbert, M.Lowe, M.Symonds (K.Smith, 73 mins), A.Hypolite.

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of the match: Keion Simmons (Somerset); Chae Simmons (Dandy Town).

OURS AGAIN -- Somerset captain Harry Hunt holds aloft the Crystal Palace Youth Cup after his team beat Dandy Town 2-1 for a second straight triumph yesterday at the National Stadium.