There will be a new champion of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after title-holders Arnett Gardens crashed 1-2 at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex for a 1-3 aggregate semi-final loss on Monday night.

Goals by Cardel Benbow in the 12th and Tramaine Stewart in the 53rd not only secured Waterhouse a spot in the RSPL final, but also a berth in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club competition.

The fleet-footed Steve Clarke gave Arnett Gardens a dream start, netting in the 10th minute to pull them level at 1-1 on aggregate.

But Waterhouse’s remarkable season continued as they moved from just above the relegation zone to a showdown with Portmore United for the RSPL title next Monday inside National Stadium.

This will be Waterhouse’s first final since they lost 2-5 to Montego Bay United in the 2014 showdown inside National Stadium.

After just seven games in the season where they garnered only seven points, then head coach Glendon “Admiral” Bailey called it quits and in stepped Donovan Duckie, who has taken them from the relegation zone to the final.

Duckie, who must be a candidate for Coach of the Year, told the Jamaica Observer that he is “very elated and ecstatic” to be in the final.

“It’s a wonderful feeling; I can’t find the adjectives to describe it. It’s a wonderful achievement for us, not only to be in the final but immediately CFU qualification jumps out. It’s a huge achievement for the club,” Duckie emphasised.

With Waterhouse taking a 1-0 lead from their first- leg semi-final encounter last Monday, the champions Arnett Gardens had their hands full as they were facing an uphill task to hold onto their title, which they eventually relinquished in an exciting and dramatic match.

In front of a packed venue, the home team got the perfect start as Clarke fired home after a rare error from the promising left back Ricardo Thomas.

But just as quickly as Arnett Gardens drew level on aggregate, two minutes later the wild celebrations of the home team were silenced as Waterhouse restored their advantage.

Benbow latched onto a delicate chipped pass from Andre McFarlane over the top and fired a low left-footer through the legs of goalkeeper Damion Hyatt.

Benbow raised his hands to his ears, then to his lips. But he would be replaced later in minute 51 by Denardo Thomas, after apparently aggravating an old hamstring injury that forced him out of action in the first leg.

But just two minutes later the killer blow came in minute 53 as Tramaine Stewart, just as he did last week, scored a decisive free kick that knocked the wind out of the champions.

Stewart curled a beautiful ball to the left of static goalkeeper Hyatt, that hit the upright on its way in. It was a massive goal that gave Waterhouse that two-goal cushion which proved too much for Arnett Gardens.

The outgoing champions brought on the towering Newton Sterling and the air raids began, but goalkeeper Diego Haughton did well in a man-of-the-match performance.

In a wicked turn of fate, while Waterhouse were struggling early in the season Arnett Gardens started in record fashion, going unbeaten in their first 19 games. But internal strife surrounding players’ salary and later presidential power struggle left them in tatters, as evidenced by the fact that the “Junglists” failed to win any of their last 10 games entering the play-offs.

— Howard Walker