Naparima's successes in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) is becoming a worrying habit. At least for arch-rivals Presentation College of San Fernando. But all the other teams in the Premier Division this season will decide on how to feel if Naps continue their winning as they did last year.
on Saturday, Presentation College finished on the losing end for yet again, as Naparima College lifted the opening Digicel Cup, with a 5-4 victory from the penalty spot, after both teams were inseparable at 1-1 at the end of regulation time at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
'Pres' as they are commonly called, was the hardest hit by Naps' achievement last year, after being denied the title in the final match of the regular season; then losing to their counterparts for the South Intercol; and then having to look on in agony, as Naps whipped San Juan North Secondary for the National Intercol.
However, in Saturday's contest, Pres drew first blood from the penalty spot, in a match for the Digicel Cup, when Jaiye Sheppard went down in the box from a heavy challenge by Nasean Duncan in the 2nd minute.
Adica Ash stepped up and fired the ball past Regaleo Holder for the lead.
However, two minutes later, Thaj Neptune got the equalizer for the 2018 triple crown winners when a ball bounced awkwardly for him to just tap into an open goal in the 4th minute.
Both teams could not get a winner in the moments that followed and the game had to be settled from the penalty spot. Naps had an unblemished record from the kicks while Ash was the only player to miss from the mark.
Naps will officially open their Premier Division campaign against St Mary College on Wednesday at their Lewis Street ground.