HOSTS Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory took the first step towards ambitions of double-title success this season, and in the process exacted some revenge on old foes Lannaman’s Prep after lifting the JISA Canopy National Under-12 Henriques Cup knockout trophy on Saturday.

A tense and evenly contested match saw both teams neutralise each other during an end-to-end battle worthy of a final but it was Sts Peter and Paul who were jubilant at the end, holding their nerve during the deciding penalty shoot-out.

Try as they did, neither team was able to break the deadlock during 60 minutes of regulation play and the additional 14 minutes of extra time, leading to the dreaded penalty shoot-out to decide the destination of the knockout trophy.

In the end, Sts Peter and Paul came out on top with a 4-3 scoreline from the spot, a result that kept them on course to secure the double this season with the Alberga Cup title now in their cross hairs.

Head coach of Sts Peter and Paul, Kemar Edwards was elated with the turn in fortune, especially against the backdrop that his team was eliminated from this competition at the semi-final stage last season after losing on penalties to now-defeated Lannaman’s.

“It feels good. Last year we got knocked out by this same team, Lannaman’s, so we are happy that we were able to get the job done this time. We couldn’t get it done in the semis last year but we managed to get over the line in the final this time around,” said Edwards.

“It was a hard game, a very tough game, but the boys went out there, they fought and played to instructions and came out victorious, and we are really happy for this result,” he added. “I am happy for the boys and everyone associated with the team that we were able to win this title.”

In the third-place decider Hillel Academy secured their best finish in the Henriques Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Liberty Academy.

In another closely contested matchup, both teams traded half-chances but neither was able to disturb the net, with the shoot-out again determining the winners.

Hillel’s players held their collective nerve to win 5-4 in a sudden death penalty shoot-out.

The JISA season will continue in early January with the resumption of the Alberga Cup league season, which will resume at the quarter-final stage.

Sts Peter and Paul are the defending Alberga Cup champions.

Sts Peter and Paul Head Coach Kemar Edwards.