Bermuda Hogges 2 Wilmington Hammerheads 0[

Shaun Goater's permanent smile broadened, Kyle Lightbourne embraced each player like a proud elder brother, and Paul Scope danced and jigged in the stands.

By the time Kool and the Gangs' Celebration erupted over the National Sport Centre's tannoy at full time it was official - Bermuda Hogges had finally come of age.

Combining pragmatism with purist passing, physical force with expression of flair, agriculture with artistry, the Hogges appeared to have at last evolved from being a team of one-dimensional wallflowers

Mastering the elements, the Hogges set about destroying and spoiling the first-half proceedings with the wind against them, before unleashing their expansive attacking play on Hammerheads after the break

Executing such an alien game plan would have no doubt given the Hogges' hierarchy equally as much pleasure as watching Kwame Steede's wonder-goal and Stevie Astwood's strike from distance.

Because unlike last weekend, when they lost 6-0, Hogges limited their risk taking during a difficult first half, going long when required and playing the percentage game. It's what Goater refers to as "earning the right to play".

Admittedly, Hammerheads were labourous, stodgy and punchless, even with the wind in their favour, but still the Hogges defence, who have shown a Dracula-like hatred for crosses in the past, were flawless in delivering their duties, building a proverbial brick wall to block off Hammerheads' aerial bombardment.

There were a few shaky moments when Hammerheads threatened, but found themselves thwarted by Timmy Figureido who bravely smothered a one-on-one, and the imperious Kevin Richards who cleared off the line.

"We've got to be professional about what we do now and sometimes in a game you can't always play football," said coach Lightbourne, whose team took ten games to record a victory last season.

"The wind played havoc and controlled our game in the first half. We decided to play against the wind after winning the toss and always intended to play our football in the second period.

"We weathered their set-piece bombardment and I always felt if we got to half time nil-nil we would go on and win the game."

With the groundwork complete, and Hammerheads there for the taking, Hogges became more adventurous in the second stanza and the game exploded into life on 49-minutes after a piece of divine opportunism by Steede.

Spotting 'keeper John O'Hara off his line, Steede brushed off the attentions of his marker before looping a bouncing ball from 40 yards towards goal. His trajectory was inch perfect with the ball carrying just far enough to stay out of the agonising reach of the back peddling 'keeper and nestling high into the middle of the empty net.

Steede celebrated his audacious effort by tearing off his shirt off and while his display of passion earned him a yellow card, it did succeed in stirring the previously subdued crowd into a lively rendition of "Let's go Hogges," which continued pretty much throughout the remainder of the match. Never have the Hogges fans displayed so much partisan support than on Saturday night.

"It was nice to hear the crowd get behind us and we're hoping we can get more fans out here as the season goes along," Lightbourne said. "Three months ago Bermuda football was in the dooms and right now everybody seems to be pulling together and doing the right things.

"With their confidence visibly growing Hogges became more precise and precious in possession and twice forced O'Hara into desperate saves, one from an Omar Shakir free kick, the other a Keishen Bean volley.

In the final minute Hogges doubled their lead when converted midfielder Stevie Astwood tried his luck from 25 yards and saw his effort take a slight deflection en-route past O'Hara.

No player deserved to get on the scoresheet more than Astwood who offers Hogges' midfield a different perspective with his physical presence, providing his able lieutenants Sammy DeGraff and Steede with a licence to push on.

"Stevie's performance tonight deserved a goal," said Lightbourne. "One thing they (Hammerheads) didn't do was have any shots and that's what we told the players to do because we knew the wind would assist us. Both our goals were from distance.

"Pretty passing is always a pleasure to watch, but seeing your team win is even better. Against Hammerheads Hogges managed to do both, thanks in no small part to their backs against the wall first-half scrap

Bermuda Hogges: T.Figuerido, K.Richards, J.Ball, K.Dill, O.Shakir (capt), S.Astwood, S.DeGraff, K.Steede, D.Ming, K.Bean (A.Zuill 88), D.Coddington (J.Scott 88)Wilmington Hammerheads: J.O'Hara, B.Clark, A.Townsend, J.Smith, A.Harrison, D.Garrambone (C.Murray 85) T.Alexander (J.Rowland 80) J.Thayer (J.Keen 85), E.Loyd, M.Avellino, B.Cvilikas.Yellow cards: D.Ming (Bermuda Hogges), K.Steede (Bermuda Hogges), K.Dill (Bermuda Hogges); T.Alexander (Wilmington Hammerheads)Man-of-the-match: S.Astwood (Bermuda Hogges)