Clay Smith has produced a few match-winning performances in his time, and yesterday he showed his talents are not confined to the cricket field.

At Bernard Park, Bermuda's top batsman was the hero for Vasco when his 20th minute header settled their Dudley Eve semi-final clash with PHC as Vasco reached their fifth Dudley Eve final.

And though the Zebras attacked frantically late in the second half, the Vasco defence stood firm to hold on to their slim lead and earn themselves a meeting against Devonshire Colts in the two-leg final which starts tomorrow night at Somerset.

The goal that separated the teams came when Keenan Burchall flighted in a cross from the right and Smith beat Corby Durrant with a firm header.

"Cricket's my first love but I've worked hard in soccer and have played it all my life,'' said Smith who played in the same Bermuda youth team as Shawn Goater.

"Right now it's just about enjoying it and to be honest I shouldn't even be playing because I've got bad knees and after this season I may have to take a year off from soccer.'' College student Smith wasn't afraid to unleash his trusted left foot from long range as he twice tried to beat Durrant from outside the box. The first effort was well off target but the second, from the left corner of the box, just missed the far post.

"I was playing (in school) but our season is early, from September to the first of November, so I've had six or seven weeks off and doing nothing and my fitness has dropped a lot since then.'' The Vasco back four of Clfford Roberts and Diallo Sharrieff in the middle and Wayne Augustus and Jermaine Belboda on the flanks stood firm as PHC battled to break through.

PHC's best efforts were saved for the dying moments of the half when Ottis Steede tested Timmy Figureido with a shot from 30 yards that the 'keeper smartly tipped over the bar.

Then in first half injury time a sharp shot from Blenn Bean brought off another good save by Figureido as PHC earned another corner.

The first `substitution' of the match came at the start of the second half when referee Lyndon Raynor was forced to swop places with fourth official Anthony Mouchette because of a hamstring pull.

The Zebras were clearly up for the challenge of pulling back the goal as they went close just two minutes into the second half when Stephen Astwood threaded a pass through the Vasco defence for teenager Kevin Richards to get on the end of it inside the box but the advancing Figureido blocked the shot.

The crowd was enjoying the best period of the match as PHC kept on the pressure in a desperate attempt to avoid their second loss in the tournament which would mean elimination.

Raynel Lightbourne came on to replace Vic Ball in the 61st minute as they tried to boost their attack and then Duval Wilson replaced Stephen Astwood.

Vasco made their only substitution when Dwight Basden replaced Irving Burgess in attack, hoping to seal the win with a goal against the run of play.

Durrant made a good save when he tipped a cross from Sinclair Gibbons over the bar. Clay Smith, slow in taking the corner on the right, paid the price when Mouchette flashed the yellow card for what he interpreted as time wasting.

PHC are the most successful team in this competition but luck was clearly not with them as they realised in the closing minutes when Steede's firm shot in the 83rd minute beat the diving Figureido but was blocked on the goal line by Roberts.

Then in the last minute Stanton Lewis got to the byline and supplied the cross which went untouched across the six-yard box. Three minutes of stoppage time also did not produce an equaliser for PHC as Vasco hung on for victory.

Vasco: T.Figureido; W.Augustus, D.Sharrieff, C.Roberts, J.Belboda, K.Jennings, S.Gibbons, K.Burchall, A.Tyrrell, C.Smith, I.Burgess (D.Basden 70min).

PHC: J.Durrant; C.Dowling, R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, E.Hunt, S.Lewis, O.Steede, V.Ball (R.Lightbourne 61min), S.Astwood (D.Wilson 76min), K.Richards, B.Bean.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor (Anthony Mouchette 46min) Men of the match: Clifford Roberts (Vasco), Stanton Lewis (PHC) Yellow cards: Art Tyrrell, Jermaine Belboda, Clay Smith (Vasco), Enwar Hunt, Raynel Lightbourne (PHC).