DEFENDING champions Couples Sans Souci retained the Sandals St Ann/St Mary Business House Football title with a 3-0 victory over Beaches Ocho Rios in the final of the competition at Drax Hall field on Sunday.

Couples gained the upper hand in the first 15 minutes of play when they were awarded two controversial penalties. Leading marksman Shavar Brown calmly put away both spot kicks, thus giving the champions a stranglehold on the match, which they never relinquished.

Beaches, despite down by two goals, tried to make a fight of it, launching a number of raids on the Couples goal and but for faulty shooting could have pulled one back by half-time.

The second half started at a hectic pace with both teams intent on attack. It was Beaches, however, who got a glorious chance to put pressure on Couples Sans Souci when they were awarded a penalty. However, striker Jari Abou, who had been having a good game up to that point, struck the spot kick straight into the hands of the Couples goalkeeper.

Beaches would end the game with nine players, courtesy of two red cards and the issue was sealed close to full time when the wily Gregory Tape beat the goalkeeper from close range.

Pierre Battaglia, general manager of Couples Sans Souci, was full of praise for his team which ended the season as the only unbeaten squad. “The team played well and showed why they are champions. We are now looking forward to playing against the winners of the Corporate Area Business House League and after losing last year, we want to come out victorious,” Battaglia noted.

President of the St Ann Business House League, Danny Beckford, said he was pleased with the overall standard of play throughout the league which had resulted in a record number of goals scored.

Ian Spencer, public relations manager, Sandals Resort, said he was a bit disappointed with the standard of the refereeing in the final, but he congratulated the Couples Sans Souci team which proved they were the best team on show in the competition.