This Coca Cola First Division contest at BAA Field could have been called the `Mud Bowl', a soccer match in name only from midway through the first half.

For rather than either side being a dominant force it was Mother Nature that controlled, torrential rain reducing matters to those bordering on farcical.

And few in attendance would have objected if referee Lyndon Raynor had abandoned the match, such was the harshness of the conditions.

Yet, beyond the doom and gloom that pervaded, PHC simply called it another win, a superb fifth minute strike by veteran forward Kenny Mills proving the decisive blow.

Even before the start skies appeared threatening, which may explain the urgency exhibited by the visitors early on as they got off to a dream start.

Zebras' left back Corey Dowling began a quick counter-attack, intercepting a Keishon Smith pass in the fifth minute and forwarding to Mills near the halfway line.

Mills did the rest, merely a blur as he shredded a backpedalling Colts' defence, bursting into the penalty area and beating goalkeeper Troy Hall with a curling shot into the low right corner off the outside of his boot.

Spurred by the early strike, PHC continued to take the match to the home side, with Hall forced to gather on the second attempt a rising drive from Raynel Lightboure after the lean forward had been allowed free roam at the top of the area.

Colts finally awoke -- albeit late -- with PHC's teenage goalkeeper Jay Smith called on to make a spectacular diving save from a Sekai Waldron shot that appeared destined for goal 18 minutes on.

Lightbourne found himself in prime position to push PHC further ahead on the half hour after Hall dropped a Dano Outerbridge free kick just three yards out, but Lightbourne could only stab the ball off the body of the 'keeper and have it fall for a corner.

By the time the second half rolled by, the pitch looked like the Island's newest pond as the monsoon continued.

Constructive soccer was simply impossible to achieve, as passes often travelled mere yards before coming to a complete halt.

In the 68th minute the conditions presented a gift for Colts' substitute Aljame Zuill.

An attempted back pass to Smith stopped dead inside the area, leaving the 'keeper stranded and opening the door for Zuill. But, as was the order of the day, he slid his shot wide from 10 yards and so went Colts' chances.

Devonshire Colts: T.Hall; K.Burchall, M.Hollis, S.Burgess, J.Belboda; K.Smith, S.Waldron (V.Ball 80 mins), J.Samuels; A.Todd (A.Zuill 57 mins), R.Jones (T.Webb 57 mins), E.Weldon.

PHC: J.Smith; E.Hunt, D.Burgess, D.Outerbridge, C.Dowling; S.Ming, M.Williams (O.Steede 61 mins); R.Lightbourne, S.Simons, K.Mills, W.Trott.

Men of the match: Troy Hall (Devonshire Colts), Jay Smith (PHC).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.

EYES ON THE PRIZE -- Ellington Weldon of Devonshire Colts (right) has the advantage on PHC's full back Enwar Hunt during this challenge yesterday.

GROUNDED -- PHC defender Desmond Burgess (left) and Arnold Todd of Devonshire Colts are both left grounded following a first half collision in First Division action at BAA yesterday.