CedarBridge Academy rose to the occasion in front of the television cameras by completing a clean sweep in the Bermuda School Sports Federation Knockout finals at the National Stadium yesterday.

The school’s girls and boys senior teams both clinched victories against crosstown rivals Berkeley Institute in the first finals held during school time to help create a carnival atmosphere.

With the games being filmed for Digicel SportsMax, after an agreement between the Jamaican sports channel and the BSSF in conjunction with the Bermuda Football Association, both sets of pupils turned out in force to support their schools.

CedarBridge, whose supporters took up residence in the Frog Lane stand, flew flags bearing their school’s colours throughout the showpiece finals.

However, it was the green and yellow-garbed Berkeley faithful occupying the grand stand who displayed the most vociferous support thanks to their clamorous drum line and cheerleaders kitted out identical colourful uniforms.

Nevertheless, it was Cedarbridge who turned on the style on the pitch, coming from behind to win the boys’ final 2-1. Jahnazae Swan, the Dandy Town striker, opened the scoring in the 35th minute before two goals inside seven minutes from Keishon Bean and Jomeko Mallory just before half-time.

Cedarbridge’s triumph came at a cost, however, as Jahkeylo Burgess suffered a suspected broken foot in a nasty midfield tackle.

Colin Stewart, the CedarBridge senior boys coach, admitted his team’s win had helped lessen the blow of surrendering the title to Berkeley who won both of this season’s league encounters.

“I’m very proud of my players’ performances,” Stewart said. “Berkeley beat us twice in the league and won the title in the last game of the season, so we knew we would have our work cut out.

“It’s the first time we have won the final in three years and it’s great that the girls team also won on the same day. CedarBridge school pride is alive today!”

Irving Romaine, the Berkeley coach, admitted his side’s defeat was tough to take considering they had not been beaten for fours years.

“The atmosphere was electric and I think the big occasion got the better of the players,” Romaine, the former Bermuda cricket captain, said. “We played with anxiety and just didn’t pass the ball very well.

“We didn’t play like we know we can and it will be difficult for the players to take.”

In the earlier match, CedarBridge’s girls set the tone for the day with goals from Deshae Darrell, Teyah Lindo, and Saphyre Hunt to earn a 3-2 win. Goals from Jadae Steede-Hill and Jada Samuels pulled Berkeley level before Hunt crashed in the winner on the hour mark.

LeVar Bassett, the CedarBridge senior girls coach, hailed the performances of MVP Lindo and Darrell, who scored one goal and created another.

“I’m very happy we have won a game on the big stage,” he said. “Deshae Darrell was a star player for us despite suffering an injury — she was playing on one wheel for much of the game. Teyah Lindo was also a maestro in midfield for us.

“That’s our third cup win in a row and we also we won the six-a-side tournament. I like to think we won the season!”

Larry Mussenden, the Bermuda Football Association president, who attended both games along with Clyde Best and Danté Leverock, the Bermuda defender, said the SportMax coverage would help put Bermuda football in the spotlight.

“There’s been a lot of hard work by the BSSF and the BFA to make this happen,” Mussenden said. “We knew SportsMax provided coverage of Jamaica’s Walker Cup and Manning Cup and thought they may be interested in showing some Bermuda school cup finals. Hopefully we can build on this for future finals.”

Manny Faria, the BSSF administrator, said he was thrilled with the atmosphere generated by the schoolchildren who attended the games and believed the players had provided plenty of entertainment for the SportsMax viewers.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and I have to thank both schools for cooperating and allowing their pupils to attend the games,” he said. “The school spirit was great and hopefully that will be the first of many finals filmed for SportsMax. Hopefully we will be able to discuss possible future events with them as well.”