PHC got off to a successful defence of the Premier Division crown, a spirited second half surge allowing them to hold off archrivals Somerset.

Two well taken goals from Raynel Lightbourne combined with one from Stanton Lewis more than offset a pair of textbook strikes from Somerset striker Michael Brangman.

All the scoring came during an lively second half, one which greatly contrasted the first, that was as absent of action as the grounds were spectators.

Indeed the scanty crowd at Somerset Cricket Club for a match featuring traditional powerhouse sides -- once a not-to-be-missed clash -- served to reflect the recent downturn in support experienced by both the clubs and local soccer in general.

After a first half that produced but a handful of half-chances the second exploded into life, with Brangman spurring the home side into the lead behind a brilliant solo effort a mere 30 seconds following the restart.

Latching onto the ball near the centre-line, Brangamn bolted up the middle, shielding off his marker and firing a 20-yard `tracer' past goalkeeper Carlyle Crockwell into the low left corner of the net. PHC immediately responded with PHC forward Duval Wilson calling for a diving save from Timmy Figureido at the near post to deny the equaliser.

Jermaine Dill watched in agony in the 49th minute as his firm drive scooted just wide of the left upright after he and Brangman combined well up the middle, leaving the Zebras' defence in tatters. The high tempo continued, as first PHC's Stephen Astwood, then Dwight Basden of Somerset had point blank chances thwarted by the heroics of Figuerido and Crockwell.

Yet, there would be no denying Lightbourne finally notching the equaliser 73 minutes on from a well executed left-wing corner. Ottis Steede's floating kick was nodded back across goal by Dano Outerbridge to an inexplicably unmarked Lightbourne, who volleyed into the roof of goal.

Four minutes later PHC had the lead and again it was shoddy defending by the home side that set matters up.

Somerset paid for their tardiness in clearing the ball from the penalty area, allowing Steede to again send in an searching cross, this time Lewis climbing high to nod in at the far post past a forlorn Figureido.

The match was put away 10 minutes later, with Lightbourne providing the finishing touch after he and Astwood ripped apart the defence with deft one-two passing.

Brangman made the score more respectable with another solo strike a minute from time, again knifing through the back-line, before turning and slotting past Crockwell.

The result was PHC's first victory in three outings, while Somerset remained winless after three games under new coach Norbert Simons.

Somerset: T.Figureido; H.Hunt (D.Basden 45 mins), R.Scott, T.Mallory (J.Richards 81 mins), K.Roberts; A.Rahman, J.Dill, S.Mendes, D.Burchall; L.Weeks (D.Raghman 45 mins).

PHC: C.Crockwell; S.Lewis, R.Lewis, C.Dowling, D.Francis; C.Furbert, O.Steede, A.Washinbgton (D.Outerbridge 69 mins); S.astwood, R.Lightbourne, D.Wilson (M.lambe 56 mins).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Michael Brangman (Somerset), Raynel Lightbourne (PHC.

Yellow card: David Burchall (Somerset).

Red card: None.