WATERHOUSE scored a magnificent 3-2 win against Arnett Gardens in a pulsating Red Stripe Premier League game at Drewsland on Monday night that lifted the team to seventh place and eight points from seven matches.

This was only Waterhouse's second victory this season and it ironically occurred in the absence of head coach Donovan Duckie. Waterhouse had garnered four points from their first two games under the guidance of coaches Junior Francis and Marcel Gayle, who were again in charge on Monday.

However, when Duckie returned for the next four games the two-time champions could only muster a single point from a draw and three defeats.

Leading goalscorer Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson signalled his intent with a miss from less than six yards in the seventh minute.

He, however, redeemed himself from the spot in minute 38 that put Waterhouse ahead.

Arnett Gardens, who were matching Waterhouse stride for stride in the high-pressure game, quickly drew level, also from the penalty spot, through Lamar Nelson in minute 45.

Referee Valdin Legister signalled two additional minutes in the half and Anderson put Waterhouse back in front from close-up in time added after the 'Junglists' seemed to have dropped their guard.

Incensed by this lapse in concentration, Arnett Gardens returned inflamed for the second session and pressed furiously for the equaliser, which came five minutes into the period.

A scramble developed in the Waterhouse defence as it came under siege and in a vain attempt to clear, they only succeeded in gifting an errant ball to Vishinul Harris who hit a fine shot from the top of the 18-yard box that deflected viciously past goalkeeper Kelso Cousins.

Arnett continued to look more composed and became prominent in their opponents' half. Waterhouse, however, weathered the storm and that will to win began to creep back into their play.

That indomitable spirit that resided in both teams brought about a little over-zealous play at times and the game became a bit testy. But that soon passed and as play deepened, the teams raised their game and went neck-and-neck in the search of victory.

The honour eventually fell to Waterhouse. Troy Reid, the pint-sized locomotive dynamo in the Waterhouse composition with his never- ending catapulting runs, put his team ahead for the third time.

The goal came from a well-placed left-footed cracker from a goal-mouth tangle nine minutes from time on his second attempt.

The first shot, a right-footed belcher, was first blocked but fell into his path once again and he blasted his first goal for Waterhouse in his first season.