The festive football season kicked into high gear at the Somerset Cricket Club as the first set of Finalists were confirmed for Bermuda’s traditional New Year's Day showpiece.
In a double-header that balanced a dramatic individual masterclass with a display of clinical dominance, Somerset Eagles and Dandy Town Hornets ensured their names will be on the team sheets at Wellington Oval next week.
Shield Semi-Final
Somerset Eagles 3 Wolves 1
The afternoon began with a resilient Somerset Eagles side overcoming an early setback to dispatch Wolves 3–1 in the Shield Semi-Final.
The Somerset Eagles found themselves trailing after just 14 minutes when an own goal gifted Wolves the lead, but the narrative quickly shifted into the "Rushaine Murphy Show."
Murphy levelled proceedings in the 33rd minute before clinical work in the 42nd minute ensured the Eagles went into the interval with their noses in front.
He completed a magnificent hat-trick ten minutes into the second half, a feat of pure poaching that secured the Eagles a shot at their third Shield title.
Friendship Semi-Final
Dandy Town Hornets 3 Devonshire Cougars 0
In the subsequent Friendship Trophy Semi-Final, the defending champions and league leaders Dandy Town Hornets showed exactly why they are the team to beat with a professional 3–0 victory over Devonshire Cougars.
After a cagey first half where the fifth-placed Cougars managed to frustrate the Hornets' attack, the deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute through the ever-reliable Dante Leverock.
The floodgates opened shortly after, with David Jones doubling the advantage and Nizigh Spence adding a late third to kill off any hope of a Cougars comeback.
The Hornets now move one step closer to a successful title defence, looking every bit like a side destined for further silverware.
|
