FORMER champions Scotiabank Group qualified for the final of the Western Sports-sponsored Business House Division One football competition after defeating UWI 6-5 on penalties at the UWI Bowl on Saturday.

In the curtain-raiser, National Commercial Bank (NCB) clipped Xerox, 1-0, with Dellon Dixon scoring a spectacular goal in the 76th minute, to return to Division One after being relegated in 2009.

In the Division Two decider, NCB will meet former kingpins Grace Kennedy, who defeated Red Stripe 3-2 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 full- and extra-time draw at NWC field, Mona.

Scotia had to work hard for their victory and though having the better of play, can consider themselves fortunate to be in the final.

They were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute when defender, Jermaine Jones brought down Jamoy Sibblies in the box. However,

Ramone Reid’s spot kick went over the bar.

Goalkeeper Jabbri Wallace kept UWI in the game by thwarting creditable efforts from Anthony Greenland, Donovan Hibbert and Sibblies as the half ended 0-0.

UWI brought on Boys’ Town player Damion Benjami in the second half and this swung the game in their favour as he and Andre Bernal befuddled the Scotiabank defenders and kept goalkeeper Marlon Henry busy for the rest of the half.

Both teams continued to miss easy chances throughout the extra-time period. In the sudden-death phase of the shootout, goalkeeper Damion Crooks, who came on in the last two minutes of extra-time, made coach Calvert Fitzgerald look like a genius by saving Alexis Gayle’s kick, while Stefan Bartley scored for Scotiabank.