Sion Hill cop Knockout…. League title race tight

Sion Hill banked the knockout title of the Natio-nal Club Football Championships in grand style over Guardian General Hope International last Sunday night at the Victoria Park.{{more}}

Two second half goals from Diego Sutherland ensured Sion Hill’s lifting of the elimination competition, which also involved the units in the First Division.

Both Sion Hill and Hope International reached Sunday’s final after 2-1 wins over SV United and Campdonia-Chelsea respectively in last Friday’s semi-finals, which also took place at the Victoria Park.

It was Sion Hill’s first piece of national football silverware in many years.

Sion Hill’s title last Sunday came almost 24 hours after the man credited for the development of football in Sion Hill during the 1980s and 1990s was presented with a lifetime achievement award in New York by the Friends of Sion Hill Inc.

With the knockout decided, the focus is on the premiership, which is set for a showdown.

Up to last Tuesday, System Three were in pole position on 26 points from 11 matches, while Bequia sit on 25 points, but from 12 matches.

System Three have two matches in hand, inclusive of a meeting with Avenues, which was set for last Wednesday, while Bequia have one match outstanding.

Also in the hunt is the defending champion Guardian General Hope International on 22 points from 10 matches.

Their encounter with SV United last Tuesday night at the Victoria Park ended prematurely when a player from Hope International and a match official were involved in a fracas.

The others in contention for the top four places are Campdonia-Chelsea and Sion Hill, as they are on 22 and 21 points respectively from 11 matches.

Several permutations hold for the run-in for the division, which is set to close off on Sunday, April 24.

At the other end of the table, Dove FC, Parkside Rollers, Prospect 1982 and Toni Stores Jugglers lie in the relegation zone, as four teams will be demoted and two promoted.

Set for promotion from the First Division are Volcanoes and Richland Park Pride and Joy.

Like the Premier, the Women’s Division is also awaiting a winner.

Already determined is the Under-17 Division, which was won by Avenues and Volcanoes won the First Division.