PAUL CLARKE, STAR Sports

Western Bureau:

Spicy Hill SC showed poise and class in a 2-1 win over Coopers Pen FC on Saturday that gave them bragging rights as the Trelawny FA Monymusk Plantation Rum Major League mid-season champions, and a big boost heading into the back half of the season.

Damin Williams netted the opener from a defense-splitting pass in the 36th minute, but stern defending from Coopers Pen held the score at a goal to nil until the 75th minute, when Jermaine Cato scored.

Coopers Pen got a consolation in the dying moments of the match, thanks to a clinical strike from Jeffery Johnson.

Early on, neither team looked like scoring, with Coopers Pen coming the closest, but wayward shooting served to let them down, and from there on, favourites Spicy Hill threw everything in attack.

Coopers Pen entered the mid-season showpiece in slightly better shape, having not lost a game all season, recording nine wins from ten matches, with one drawn.

They have hit the back of the net 24 times, while conceding seven, to lead Group A on 28 points.

Spicy Hill's record was not dissimilar, though they have lost twice.

Coopers Pen's next match will be on Wednesday, April 29, against Clarks Town FC at Hyde Sports Ground.

Two other games are also scheduled for Wednesday. Upsetters FC, sixth in Group A, will take on fellow strugglers Wakefield (6th in Group B) in battle of cellar dwellers, and over at Blackwin Sports Ground, Classic United (5th in Group A) host the high-flying Spicy Hill.

All matches begin at 3:30pm.