North Village were predictable winners over already relegated Boulevard, but there was no celebration at the end when word got round that PHC had done enough to clinch the Premier Division title.

But a second place finish was something that coach Kenny Thompson had to give them praise for achieving.

Instead of having their prayers answered for a PHC loss which would have landed them with the title, Village ended the day with just the satisfaction of having scored a comfortable victory over opponents who showed their intention to build for next season by fielding a relatively young side.

Tafari Outerbridge, Dwight Warren and Neil Robinson netted for Village while substitute Vernon Eve pulled one back for Boulevard.

On a day when Village may have wrapped up the title with a little help, they were not able to produce many moments of magic against a team that looked inferior for most of the first half.

Coach Kenny Thompson and his bench had to be concerned as their attack failed time and time again to break through a defence marshalled by centre-back Robert Wilson and Mitchell Trott -- but aside the fine work of this pair Village's inability to get their shots on target led to frustration.

They pinned down Boulevard for the first 30 minutes during which time they forced 10 corners and should have put the result out of reach of a jaded Boulevard.

Finally Village were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot after Wilson brought down Damon Wade with Outerbridge converting his spot kick to put them one goal up after 32 minutes.

Continued on page 26 Village fall short in championship race Continued from page 23 Outerbridge, Robinson and Wade continued to drift dangerously around the penalty box as Village pressed for more goals, but the trio were among the culprits who angered fans by missing good chances. Neither did young Tarik Jennings on the right flank contribute much.

At the opposite end Boulevard did little although there were some bright build-up in the midfield with the busy Stevie Wade usually starting moves that fizzled out as play entered the penalty box.

Village finished off the half with Warren volleying home a shot from 12 yards after Tarik Jennings crossed from the right.

Boulevard surprisingly mustered a response to Warren's goal after 47 minutes when Eve scored from close range, finishing off a move started in the middle of the field by Wade.

However Village refused to allowed them to take the upperhand and came back after 61 minutes to floor their opponents for good with a goal by Robinson.

Outerbridge had watched in agony as his point-blank shot was brilliantly blocked by the advancing goalkeeper Kimwanclar Walker, but he could do nothing as Robinson whipped home the rebound from a few yards.

Warren missed a sitter after 73 minutes when he placed a cross by substitute Maceo Dill wide from close in but by then it was clear that Boulevard were incapable of pulling off a late fightback.

Boulevard had striker Shakai Crockwell ejected at the end for using foul language after he had already received a yellow card.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas, K.Jennings, K.Binns, R.Spence (A.Simons, 76 min); N.Robinson, E.Jennings, D.Warren; T.Jennings (M.Dill, 71 min), T.Outerbridge, D.Wade.

Boulevard: K.Walker; M.Hewey, R.Wilson, M.Trott, A.Brown; J.Samuels, A.Melvin (D.Boyles, 50 min), J.Payne (V.Eve, 45 min), S.Wade; S.Crockwell, H.Boukloufi (V.Phillips, 45 min).

Referee: David O'Brien Men of the match: Kimandi Binns (Village); Robert Wilson (Boulevard) Yellow cards: J.Payne, J.Samuels, D.Boyles, S.Crockwell (Boulevard); T.Jennings (Village) Red cards: S.Crockwell (Boulevard) Under-15s win Bermuda's under-15 national team are close to a place in the Caribbean regional finals after a 4-0 first-leg victory against the US Virgin Islands at the National Stadium last night. See story and picture on page 25.

Heads up!: Neil Robinson of North Village (left) and Adam Melvin of Boulevard have the ball sandwiched between their heads during this midfield clash at Bernard Park yesterday.