PHC savoured the sweet taste of championship glory and early-season bragging rights, capturing the Gregory Grimes Under-13 Memorial Cup with a 3-0 victory over WFA Boca Juniors at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday.

After a subdued opening half, when neither team could stamp its authority on the game, young Zebras striker Cyme Dowling exploded into action, slamming a hat-trick that WFA had no answer to.

Dowling’s pace, close-ball skill and coolness under pressure paid off after the break, as he mesmerised the WFA defence, scoring twice from range and a third after a mazy dribble into the penalty area.

“There was this one guy up there, his name's Reshay. He's a really good player,” said Dowling, explaining his first-half struggles. “Every time I came down his wing, I couldn't get across him. He's an excellent defender.

“My coach gave me a little instruction at half time, telling me that instead of going on his side, I should go on the other defender's side, because I'm a little faster than them. So every time Evan got the ball, I was like, ‘Yo, hit it long on this side and let me chase it’, and it worked out in my favour.”

WFA, though, did not go quietly, as they exposed the PHC defence on several occasions, only to be denied time and again by goalkeeper Eben Oosthuizen, who erected a steel curtain across the goal line.

Oosthuizen, sturdy, tall and fearless, stopped half a dozen goalbound efforts on his way to being named the final’s Most Valuable Player.

“It feels really good to get MVP for this prestigious tournament,” said Oosthuizen. “It’s my first season at this club, and it feels really good to show my abilities on the bigger stage. I just want to win, keep a clean sheet and keep the ball out of the goal.”

PHC coach Robert Bean was satisfied with the result and particularly pleased with the prime-time performances of his two stars players.

“There were certain little things that we'd done in training that we were able to see in the game,” said Bean. “It’s about every one of them understanding what the coach brings, then exploiting themselves in this atmosphere, where it’s a real battle.”

“At half time, we made a couple of little changes, telling them what we would like to see, and immediately they were able to execute those things.

“Cyme loves a goal. He was down and out at half time because he had a chance to score but didn't take it. We had a nice little talk with him, helped him gain his confidence and told him he would do better next time.

“I told him, ‘Don't forget the past, learn from it and take advantage of the moment’. In the second half, the same moment happened and he was able to execute and get his confidence back.”

“As for our goalkeeper, he was marvellous — a winning performance by him.”

The BFA's U13 knockout cup is named in honour of the late Gregory Grimes — a former BFA vice-president, police officer and football referee who died in 2016 at age 55.