It was a case of third time lucky for St. George's Colts last night as they produced a sterling performance to win the Shield final at National Stadium.

After suffering defeat in the final of the same competition for the last two years, the East Enders were determined to avoid a `three-peat' and proceeded to brush off their younger opponents with relative ease.

Inspired by player-coach Neil Paynter, St. George's led 2-1 at the half with goals from Clifton Simmons and Yusef Pitt and then added a third through Mackie Crane in the second half when they were labouring with 10 players after Gregg Foggo was sent off following a second caution.

It was the pre-game favourites, Social Club, who took a 1-0 lead when Tokia Russell found the net with a 22-yard free kick after just 11 minutes. And St.

George's fans must have wondered if this was a sign of things to come.

But their team bounced back immediately to grab an equaliser after 15 minutes when goalkeeper Dyke Lawrence blocked a drive by Foggo only to see the rebound struck home by Simmons.

The rest of the half belonged to St. George's who were always on the hunt for goals, led by spirited runs at the defence by centre-back Paynter.

Time and time again the former Bermuda national team player started moves deep in his own half before advancing upfield to help his attackers.

Lawrence denied St. George's further success when he palmed away a Yusef Pitt shot after 27 minutes, which was followed by a rocket from Marlon Outerbridge that went just inches wide of the post. Then Paynter's blistering 35-yarder was tipped over by the 'keeper.

Pitt eventually got the go-ahead goal after 42 minutes when he teamed up with Fred Richardson to score form close range.

Social Club played with more imagination in the second half but with Russell unable to help them take the initiative in midfield they accomplished little up front.

Even when they were reduced to 10 players, St. George's looked dangerous, Mackie Crane forcing Lawrence to slap away his diving header from close range after 84 minutes.

Crane followed up a minute later when he pushed home a deflection from a Ernest Signor shot to make it 3-1.

Social Club had a chance at the end but Dennis Russell fired over.

St.George's: Detroy Smith; F.Richardson, N.Paynter, K.Moreno, U.Fox; M.Outerbridge (D.Signor, 86 mins), C.Simmons (E.Signor, 70 mins), G.Foggo; Q.Francis, M.Crane, Y.Pitt (S.Smith, 69 mins).

Social Club: D.Lawrence; A.Woods, T.Lewis, T.Russell, V.Darrell; Y.Richardson (J.Charles, 52 mins), D.Ming, F.Williams; L.Richardson (D.Gibbs, 52 mins), D.Russell, R.Burgess (M.Parsons, 66 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Neil Paynter (St. George's); Dyke Lawrence (Social Club).

Red card: Greg Foggo (St. George's).