A sparkling two-goal performance by 17-year-old Nakia Smith spurred the East to a 4-2 victory in last night's Secondary Schools All-Star match at National Stadium.

In a match truly worthy of the title `All-Star' Smith's light shone brightest as he was a constant thorn among the West defence with his surging runs from midfield and dazzling dribbling skills.

Aiding Smith in the destruction were Keimon Lawrence and Johnny Best while Aljame Zuill and Jamal Robinson made the West's reply.

The feeling-out process was in effect early on, but the East always looked the more likely to score. They were finally able to convert territorial dominance into goals when skipper Lawrence nodded home the first from close range in the 26th minute.

Dion Woolridge had created the opportunity when he crossed from the right and when the ball was allowed to bounce Lawrence graciously accepted the gift.

A quick response was attempted by the West as Robinson streaked untouched down the right flank only to have Dyke Lawrence make the save.

At this point the match began to increase in pace and imagination.

A piece of wizardry by diminutive winger Sergio Goater paid handsome dividends for the East.

Goater received the ball wide on the right side, proceeded to side-step his marker before running along the touch-line and slipping the ball to an onrushing Best, who gave goalkeeper Ian Mullings no chance with his low drive into the right corner.

Aas the second half got under way again it was the East attacking in droves, keyed by the ever-present Smith and Goater.

Rudolph Butterfield played spectacularly at times in defence for the West. But he could not prevent his opponents going further ahead nine minutes into the half when Smith, after missing on an earlier breakaway, made no mistake when given free passage a second time, cutting in from the right side and thundering the ball past Mullings.

Just as it appeared the East had the match in the bag the West marched back.

First, Zuill connected on a cross from Kwame Tucker, beating 'keeper Lawrence at the near post in the 59th minute and then Robinson made it a one-goal deficit after 87 minutes of play, rising high to nod in a Clifford Simmons cross.

Smith knocked the West back in their tracks with his second goal of the night when he followed his own shot to score.

Smith was a deserved most valuable player for the East while Butterfield captured the honour for the West, which carries one-year free admission to the Bermuda College.

East: D.Lawrence, A.Lugo (J.Boyles, 82 mins), O.Shakir, S.Simmons, J.Belboda (K.Jennings, 80 mins), N.Smith, K.Lawrence, J.Best (G.Augustus, 54 mins), D.Woolridge (Q.Paynter, 45 mins), Q.Robinson, S.Goater (M.James, 83 mins).

West: I.Mullings, T.Cabral (A.Trott, 80 mins), J.Charles (D.Pinkney, 74 mins), K.Simmons (M.Howes, 67 mins), A.Zuill, K.Tucker, P.Franco (C.Simmons, 63 mins), J.Robinson, N.woods, A.Tucker (E.Smith, 84 mins), R.Butterfield.

In the preceeding Primary Schools match, which matched the second in terms of drama and excitement, two second-half strikes by Kaiya Darrell were enough to seal a 2-1 victory for the East.

Darrell opened the scoring midway through the second half and then proceeded to fire a long-range rocket past the West 'keeper.

Michael Sandiford managed a reply for the West.

Still history was made when Danielle Paynter made the first appearance by a female as a second-half substitute.

BUSY NIGHT -- West defender Rudolph Butterfield, left, had his hands full with Keimon Lawrence and the East All-Stars at National Stadium last night.