(North Village won 6-3 on aggregate) North Village unveiled the New Year in victorious fashion, showering themselves and their fans with a triumphant display, seizing the Dudley Eve Trophy after a 3-1 second-leg win gave them a favourable 6-3 aggregate.

The Red Devils out-ran, out-shot and out-scored Devonshire Colts, who had entered the match a goal down after a first-leg defeat (first-leg report on page 21) .

A pair of early strikes from Kevin Jennings and veteran Neil (Diamond) Robinson put paid to any notions of a Colts comeback, who, aside from a Quincy Aberdeen tally just before the half, simply could not muster the finishing touch.

Matters were ultimately formalised by a penalty converted by Village defensive rock Kentoine Jennings in the dying stages. And fittingly it was he who accepted the gleaming chunk of silverware from deputy governor Tim Gurney to the plaudits of the Village faithful.

"I thought we had two pretty good legs,'' said Jennings. "I feel we were a bit slack during the first leg up at Somerset, and allowed Colts to play their game and never got into our rhythm.

"Today everybody came motivated and ready to play the type of soccer we're capable of playing and the field definitely helped us out a bit. The guys were ready, focused, motivated to do what they had to do, and just reward came for us.'' Indeed, as during the first leg, Village struck early, Kevin Jennings driving home a left-wing cross from Dwight Warren in the 13th minute.

However, unlike the previous encounter, Village did not rest upon their laurels, further enhancing their position 20 minutes on, with Robinson turning back the clock to produce a piece of wizardry that decimated Colts.

Gaining possession deep in opposition territory, Robinson proceeded to weave his way past three defenders before unleashing a ferocious drive that beat Bean for both pace and placement.

Colts finally awoke in the 40th minute, as Aberdeen scored against the run of play from close range.

The second half saw Colts continue to thrust everything into attack, with Damon Ming, Aljame Zuill and Marvin Belboda each shooting off-target or having Hendrickson save clear-cut chances.

At the other end Village too found a fair share of opportunity among a depleted back-line, but Kevin Jennings on two occasions booted efforts too high.

It was then left for Kentoine Jennings to apply icing to the cake, thundering home from the spot after rival skipper Shannon Burgess was blown for handball.

Afterwards Scott Morton, Village's head coach, explained how his squad had been able to execute the game plan.

"I told them to enjoy today, and let me enjoy it without having to get up and make any unnecessary comments,'' said Morton. "Just do the things necessary to get the victory, those that we do day to day in training.'' He gave additional thanks to Robinson, who came out of retirement to supply his knowledge and skills for the occasion.

"On big game days you need experienced players, so I felt it was necessary to make the change to bring in Neil and it paid off.'' Meanwhile, Colts' captain Shannon Burgess said: "I think we may have been mentally drained from the first leg,'' said Burgess. "I think us getting a man sent off in the fashion that he got sent off, to play with 10 men for as long as we did, and have some of the calls go the way they went in the first leg really drained us.

"(Still) we should be proud of ourselves for making it this far and giving the account that we gave of ourselves.'' Devonshire Colts: K.Bean; Jermaine Belboda, N.Samuels, S.Burgess, Jermel Belboda; D.Ming, K.Burchall, A.Zuill; M.Belboda (V.Ball 57 mins); Q.Aberdeen (G.Trott 65 mins), S.Phillips.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas, K.Dill, Kentoine Jennings, R.Spence; M.Hansey (J.Boyles 70 mins), K.Binns, J.Jennings (T.Outerbridge 72 mins); Kevin Jennings, N.Robinson, D.Warren.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Shannon Burgess (Devonshire Colts); Neil Robinson (North Village).

Yellow card: Geron Trott (Devonshire Colts).

Goal-time: North Village players (from left) Kimande Binns, Jawan Thomas, Kevin Jennings and Zane Hendrickson celebrate Jennings' first-half strike against Devonshire Colts.