Schools showdown: St Sampson’s High full back Dane Mullen comes under pressure at Blanche Pierre Lane. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0674595)

Elizabeth College 1, St Sampson’s High 3

WORTHY winners, St Sampson’s High retained the Spiller Cup at Blanche Pierre Lane last evening, but College made them work for the old trophy.

The losers, who pulled a goal back in the dying minutes through substitute Nick Rumens, who finished clinically, might even argue that had they been awarded a first-half penalty when many touchline observers thought Ben Cuddihee was tripped, there might have been a different result.

But that would have been blue-sky thinking on the College’s part. For all their hard work they came up against a side who had some outstanding individual talent and played the best football.

In colours to match the venue, it took St Sampson’s High just three minutes to go ahead.

Will Garnett had already seen a very early effort superbly blocked by Eric Sharman when he was put clear, rounded the keeper and fired firmly high into the net.

It was still 1-0 when Cuddihee went down on the half-hour mark under an approach from Jordan Gilvear.