- Rudolph BrownRaiders Suns'John Findlay (left) and Jermaine Moodie of Raiders United battle for possesion during yesterday's Wray and Nephew Rum Cream and Lasco sponsored Premier League men's final at the Mona field. Raiders United won 3-1.
A DETERMINED and hardworking Raiders United team, including seven national players, came from behind to beat Raiders Suns 3-1 to retain their title in the final of the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) Wray and Nephews Rum Cream and Lasco-sponsored Men's Premier League at the Mona field yesterday.
It was the second time Raiders United were beating Raiders Suns, having won 2-0 in the preliminaries of the competition.
Raiders United dominated the early exchanges through a series of short corners and penalty corners. However, Raiders Suns were the first to score through Robert Aldred's torrid hit from within the D in the 18th minute.
After that Raiders United pressed determiningly for the equaliser.
Their best chance came two minutes before half-time when Nicholas Brown's shot hit the top goal post. Captain Larkin Christie had a chance to score from the rebound, but hit wide before an empty goal.
After the interval, United continued their numerous attacks through the centre and flanks and missed glorious chances. They eventually scored from a melee, but the goal was disallowed by the umpires.
Despite this they pressed along and eventually gained the equaliser in the 60th minute, when Christie scored from a penalty stroke. They quickly converted a second goal in the 63rd minute from a Garth Powis shot.
With over three minutes remaining, Larkin had to be taken off owing to a face injury. However, this did not deter the many-time champions who scored the clincher with two minutes from time, thanks to a shot from Rayon Ward inside the D.
Meanwhile, Circus Circle won the third place playoff with a 3-1 win on penalties over Kingston College Old Boys.
