the recent Shootout at the Shore Labour Day Soccer Tournament in Middletown, New Jersey.

Lying in third place after suffering their first loss earlier in the day, the Zebras needed to win against then second place team Somerset Hills Hammers.

And the youngsters achieved just that as they beat their opponents 3-1 with man-of-the-match Jelani Lightbourne scoring twice and setting up the third for Jonathan Ball. The teams were level at 1-1 at the half.

Earlier results saw PHC win 4-2 against Middletown Revolution, the host club.

Damian Hatherley (two), Kevin Arorash and an own goal accounted for the scoring.

PHC also fought to a 1-1 draw with Hazlet Blitz on the opening day of the tournament when Hatherley scored a late equaliser.

On the second day, PHC went down to eventual winners Silver Lake Rams from Staen Island, New York, 2-0 in what coach Wendell Furbert described as a hard-fought match.

PHC's group, which was the advanced under-14s, had a good mixture of styles, said coach Furbert.

Silver Lake had an Italian style while Somerset Hills played the long ball English style and Hazlet and Middletown the American style. PHC had a mixture of patient, short passing and direct long ball which drew favourable comments from the spectators.

"We were never outplayed, nor dominated for any significant period of time,'' added Furbert. "Players were consistent and play was very much team oriented.

Numerous requests were made by coaches to bring their teams to Bermuda and many invitations were extended to PHC to revisit New Jersey. "In all the trip was a resounding success. Our players have left a tremendously positive impression on the people of Middletown. They have done themselves, PHC and Bermuda extremely proud.'' Furbert praised 11 and 12-year-olds Vernon Perinchief and Robert Richardson for the way they performed, as well as Jahnai Raynor, Geno Jones, Albert Jenkins, Warren Burrows, Roger Simmons and Ariah Tear.