Ireland Rangers 1 Prospect 0

A spectacular headed goal by Henry Santucci after 40 minutes enabled Ireland Rangers to finish the first half of the First Division season with a comfortable lead.

But at Malabar yesterday the home team were forced to sweat it out against visitors who displayed an awful lot of spirit for a side in the middle of the table.

Rangers held a slight edge in the first half but with Prospect's defence refusing to yield it was clear they would have to come up with something special to break through.

The pressure on Rangers was eventually eased when Santucci got what turned out to be the winner, finishing off superbly after Andre Outerbridge had raced down the right flank and sent over a pinpoint cross for the forward to finish off.

Jonathan Bean had further chances for the home side in a game that saw Prospect fight until the bitter end, creating a number of scoring opportunities, all of which came to nought.

Social Club 1

Devonshire Colts 4

Despite this emphatic victory at Bernard Park, Devonshire Colts remain in second place at the half-way stage.

Colts cruised into a comfortable 2-0 lead on goals by Justin Calderon after three minutes and Shannon Burges after eight minutes.

But Social Club hit back, scoring a minute before the half.

However, Colts restored their advantage midway through the second half when Ryan Evans made it 3-1.

Jason Dill wrapped up the scoring three minutes from time with Colts' fourth.

Yesterday's three other First Division games were not played.

One didn't take place after a team refused to accept a referee who wasn't assigned for the game while two were postponed because of poor field conditions.

At Wellington Oval, home side St. George's claimed victory by default after Hamilton Parish refused to play the game when the referee assigned had not shown up by kick-off time.

Neil Paynter, St. George's centre-back, said that his team were ready to play while Parish had just nine men when somebody willing to stand in for the referee offered their services.

However, Parish refused to go ahead with the match.

“One of our club members, Detroy Smith, who is an official member of the Bermuda Referees' Association, was prepared to officiate but Parish refused. We submitted our team sheet and were raring to get the game underway but they wanted no part of it. I really don't know why,” said Paynter.

He said that bringing the start forward from 3 p.m. to 12.30 p.m. might have led to some problems for the visitors, but the fact that the bulk of their players had shown up for the clash indicated that word had been circulated.

“Naturally I believe that we have a strong case because we had somebody there qualified to do the job. I am hopeful that the points will be awarded to us,” added Paynter.

The game between Wolves and Paget, scheduled for Devonshire Rec. at 3 p.m., was not played after club officials ruled that the pitch was unfit after early afternoon showers.

At Garrison Field, the match between X Roads an St. David's was also called off after officials - referee Anthony Wilson and assistants Lyndon Raynor and Cornel Castle - ruled that the ground was unfit for play because it had not been prepared properly.