Winston Trott, Jr. struck twice in the second half and Sammy Swan got the other as PHC booked a spot in their fourth Dudley Eve Trophy final in five years yesterday at rain-hit Southampton Oval.

Two headers by Ellington Weldon in injury time could have brought Colts back from defeat; the first he put wide from a good position following a cross on the right and the second moments later was headed straight at goalkeeper Ty Williams.

The fact that the game even got started was down to the hard work put in by the Southampton Rangers groundstaff as the Bermuda Football Association feared having to reschedule the two-leg final, which is scheduled for tomorrow and Friday.

Only a modest crowd braved the conditions to watch this losers' semifinal and the slippery surface made it difficult for both teams though there was plenty of positive soccer played from the outset.

PHC, welcoming back top scorer Kenny Mills after missing Saturday's match because of religious reasons, were forced to make a change as early as the 11th minute when Dana Rawlins limped off with a knee injury having started the match with a band on his right knee. Michael Trott was the replacement.

The Zebras had their first chance in the 16th minute when Winston Trott got into the box only to be robbed by a timely block by Derek Wright just as he was about to shoot.

Colts started to threaten with captain Craig Smith's volley from the edge of the penalty box being deflected for a corner. With Smith dangerous on either flank in his free role, Colts kept on the pressure and held the upper hand for a spell.

Weldon flicked a header weakly at 'keeper Williams from an inswinging cross from Smith on the right in the 33rd minute. Minutes later a throw-in from Dennis Williams on the right flank saw Harrison Trott turn magnificently inside the area before unleashing a firm shot that Williams parried at the near post.

Colts kept on the pressure with the hard-working Leonard Hypolite moving forward from midfield to support Smith on the right. Hypolite's cross was only half-cleared by the PHC defence and Smith followed up on the right side of the box to volley the loose ball over the bar.

PHC looked flat during this period though things picked up for them after the restart as Mills put one of his best chances inches wide in the 56th minute after a cross-field pass from full-back Noel Hayward found him free at the far post.

Two minutes later Weldon missed from a good position at the other end as the game opened up with both teams attack furiously.

Just two minutes after an inswinging corner by Craig Smith smashed against the near upright, PHC took the lead in the 67th minute. Mills crossed to the far post where Ming's volley was blocked by Andre Hendrickson who could do little to prevent Trott from knocking in the rebound from close range.

As expected Colts stepped up the pressure in their bid for the equaliser and it came in the 74th minute with the best goal of the match. A corner on the left by Mark Ray was touched to Jay Bean who hammered the ball from all of 30 yards on the left side into the far post with Williams unsighted.

PHC went back in front to stay four minutes later when Sammy Swan scored with a low free kick from 20 yards that went inside Hendrickson's right-hand post.

There was no coming back for Colts after that as the Zebras kept up the pressure and notched an insurance goal six minutes from time when a strong run by Swan down the left side resulted in his shot being blocked by the 'keeper and Trott side-footing home the rebound.

"I was just in the right place at the right time,'' said 24-year-old Trott afterwards. "I like to play in weather like this because it's difficult for the goalkeepers and for the defenders to stay with you.'' PHC: T.Williams; N.Hayward, R.Lewis, D.Douglas, D.Outerbridge; O.Steede, F.Ming, D.Rawlins (M.Trott, 11 mins; S.Russell, 76 mins), K.Mills, S.Swan, W.Trott.

Devonshire Colts: A.Hendrickson; D.Williams (Y.Wade, 61 mins), A.Wilson, J.Samuels, D.Wright; M.Ray, H.Trott, J.Bean, L.Hypolite (K.Smith, 72 mins), C.Smith, E.Weldon.

Referee: Gregory Belboda.

Men of the match: Sammy Swan (PHC); Craig Smith (Devonshire Colts).

TWISTING AND TURNING -- Kenny Mills of PHC finds a way past Colts' Derek Wright, left, and Dennis Williams.