Somerset severely dented PHC's chances of repeating as Premier Division champions as they summarily dispatched their long-time arch-rivals 2-0 at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Goals on either side of the interval by Rodney Bascome and college student Jelani Scott served to lift the Trojans from sixth to fifth place in the standings.

Conversely, the Zebras now find themselves with a steep mountain to climb, as they now trail league leaders North Village by six points, with only six matches remaining.

However, PHC had only themselves to blame as they dominated much of the opening period in both possession and scoring chances, but were continuously let down by horrendous finishing and expert goalkeeping by Trojan's Timmy Figureido.

The home side appeared to be suffering from an overdose of turkey, ham, farina and cassava pie, and all the other holiday fare, as often they were a step too slow.

Luckily this affliction did not rest on Figureido, who single-handedly kept them in the match with his agility between the sticks.

Bascome made PHC pay for their numerous gaffes three minutes before the interval, following a left side free kick, when he got on the end of a back header from Nasir Wade, one that found him a yard from the target with the simplest of tasks to nod in.

Stung, the Zebras launched an all-out attack to begin the second half, again pegging back Somerset. But with the remnants of Christmas now properly digested and confidence on the up, the west enders were able to absorb the pressure and launch retaliation strikes of their own.

Scott floored PHC on the hour, as a forward pass from substitute Karl Roberts precipitated a goalmouth scramble with Bascome finally passing to Scott, who blasted past a helpless Carlyle Crockwell from six yards.

PHC had a chance to pull back to within a single goal in the 84th minute when they were awarded a penalty, but again Figureido was there to thwart them, expertly turning away McLee Smith's spot kick.

"I thought that it was a positive way to start off the new year, and if we can stay positive I feel we'll be okay,'' said Somerset head coach Norbert Simons. "We stressed in the first half that if we get in a run and gun situation with PHC we can't beat them.

"We were trying to play football, but they were packing their defence and we were trying to bulldoze our way through them too much.

"The second half they came at us, but that left gaps at the back for us to expose. And once we got the second goal we were able to constantly penetrate them.'' Somerset: T.Figureido; A.Rahman, R.Scott, J.Martin, G.Butterfield; D.Rahman, Dwa.Basden (K.Roberts 57 mins), J.Scott, J.Dill; Nas.Wade (Dwi.Basden 65 mins), R.Bascome (Nad.Wade 85 mins).

PHC: C.Crockwell; M.Williams, R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, B.Bean; S.Lewis, C.Furbert, K.Richards (I.Barry 79 mins); D.Wilson (T.Darrell 59 mins), S.Astwood (D.Tucker 80 mins), M.Smith.

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.

Men of the match: Timmy Figureido (Somerset); Stanton Lewis (PHC).

Yellow cards: Galvin Butterfield (Somerset); Dano Outerbridge (PHC).