Secondary Schools' Football remains the most anticipated Football Competition in Trinidad, and as on of the traditional Powerhouses in the South, Pres was earmarked as a team to watch. Fielding a team relatively inexperienced at this level, a South league team was still a possibility since no fewer than eight players had earned selection on various National junior teams, indicative of the wealth of talent in Pres.

The first league game was against St. Benedicts' 'in de park' and needless to say, it was reminiscent of past intercol finals. After a great display from both sides, Pres unfortunately went down 2-1, but their display whetted our appetites for the rest of the season.

However, for the next few games, the team's form was erratic and injuries, suspensions and poor team selections deprived the team of their best 11. They drew 1-1 at Pleasantville, edged Moruga 1-0, held goalless at Point and then lost 1-2 and 0-2 to Fyzabad and Princes Town respectively. The team ended the first round on a high note crushing Cedros 3-0; but the revival was stopped by a rampaging "Benedicts" on the commons, as they handed Pres their worst defeat in South in over 10 years with a 5-1 blowout. This was followed by an unlucky 2-1 loss to 'P-Ville' and a lacklustre 1-1 draw with Moruga.

With the Intercol series their new target, the team began to peak, ending their league campaign with 4 consecutive victories over Point (1-0) , Fyzabad (1-0), P-town (1-0) and ending with an inspirational performance in thrashing Cedros (3-0). The late surge ensured that Pres remained in the top four in South.

The Intercol was contested on a National basis and Pres had drawn Mucurapo, the game to be played at the National Stadium. Armed with a small but vociferous band of supporters, Pres exploded onto the field with a goal after just two minutes. However, two defensive blunders cost the team the game and thus ended our season.

After such early promise, it was a disappointing season. Mention must be made of Michael Forgenie, Miguel Grell, Joel Corbie, Sean Lynch, Vijay Samaroo, and Gary Byrne whose outstanding performances ensured that Pres finished with a respectable record.

As we look forward to the next season, in which we hope the team would be more successful, we urge students to come out and support their team, support their school and to help to ensure that Pres will triumph again.

CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM 1995

1st ROUND

2nd ROUND

Our Senior Division Football team this year got off to a promising start, having the advantage of more experienced college footballers, as well as the services of championship footballers who had not yet played their league matches. This was evident in the 3 -o victory against Princes Town at their home ground.

However, championship duties, injuries and other engagements deprived the team of more adept players, but made way for younger talent who gained tremendously from the experience. The remaining squad made up mainly of lower school players, held their own against stiff competition and should do well next season.

1996 was a tremendous year for our Championship football team, as we captured the South/Central Intercol title, and then went on to become National Intercol champions. However, the work-to-rule by teachers and the consequent non-participation of several schools rendered all Intercol competitions and titles 'unofficial'. This, though, did not dampen the enthusiasm and purpose of the members of the team, who gave an excellent account of themselves on the field of play.

We kicked off the season with a bang, with an impressive 3-1 pasting of Naparima College at Skinner's Park. As resounding as that victory was, the next two matches proved difficult, as we drew them both with St.Benedict's and Princes Town. Undaunted, and under the commanding influences of captain Andre Lewis and veterans Vijay Samaroo, Shaun Lynch and Larry McDonald, the Pres machine soon got back on track, and we replicated our season-opening form against a floundering Pleasantville outfit.

After a tough draw against Fyzabad, we ended the first round with victories over Moruga and Point Fortin, the latter encounter proving to be a memorable one, as we played all over our unfortunate opponents. We thus played through the first round of matches unbeaten and consequently ended on top in the 8-team competition.

A teachers' work-to-rule regrettably then put the SSFL on ice. We, however, kept our skills honed by participating in a series of 'friendlies' with teams from all over the island. We played well in these five matches, and ended up with only one defeat to St.Benedict's (0-2), creditable performances against St.Anthony's (2-2) and St.Mary's (2-2), and impressive wins against Moruga (2-1) and Fatima (3-0).

The Intercol competition then engaged the attentions of the drastically reduced number of Secondary Schools. So few was the number of participating schools that the South and Central zones were merged. In the end, only four teams took part in this merged zone.

We first had to play our 'sister' college from Chaguanas, and after some annoying setbacks, we eventually won an exciting replay in a penalty shootout. The finals, therefore, although termed 'unofficial' by some officials, saw us tackling our arch rivals, St.Benedict's College. After a lacklustre initial five minutes, we kicked into high gear and produced two well taken goals, one on either side of half-time. Even a late goal from the La Romain boys was not enough to prevent us from hoisting aloft the South/Central Intercol crown, albeit unofficially.

After conquering the Southland, we then set our sights on the National Intercol title. St.Anthony's had defeated St.Mary's 3-0 in the North final, so we had to play the 'tigers' for the National crown.

On a dry St.Mary's ground, and bolstered by the deceptively tumultuous presence of the few Pres supporters who made the journey, we did not fail to impress, as we obliterated the swollen egos of our northern counterparts and forced the proverbial 'humble pie' down their throats.

We undoubtedly played the game of the season by shutting down the St.Anthony's attackers, while launching several productive raids of our own on the tigers' citadel. The first half was all Pres, as we scored two unanswered goals, much to the bewilderment of the St.Anthony's supporters. After conceding an early second half effort, we rammed home the advantage by planting two more into the St.Anthony's net, thereby silencing their supporters once and for all while allowing our own the jubilation and euphoria that was perhaps inevitable.

When the final whistle sounded, we were impressive 4-1 victors over St.Anthony's

College and were thus the unofficial National Intercol Champions, proof yet again, that PRES RULES!!!

Statistics after 1st Round

(A ALEXANDER)

REPLAY

(M.Grell(2), S.Lynch, L.McDonald)

After a dismal run of form in 1995, Presentation College bounced back to produce a much improved Senior team.

The season opened with Presentation, under the captaincy of Dave Maharaj, playing Princes Town at home. The teams were evenly matched during the first half, but the second session proved to be quite different. After the introduction of Jason Mulrain, brought on for the seriously injured captain, Pres began to assert some dominance. However, excellent overlapping runs on the wings and powerful shooting did little to change the deadlock. Pres had a chance to come out on top after being awarded a penalty. However, a poorly executed spot-kick by Dwight DeLeon ensured a goal-less draw.

Presentation would then go on to draw 1-1 against Mayaro, with the lone strike coming from the boot of Craig Smith. Our next victim, San Fernando Government Secondary, was thrashed 3-0 thanks to goals from Smith (2) and Earl Sylvan. This game saw the introduction of talented defenders Ross Moze and Martin Jones; the latter becoming quite infamous for his crunching tackles on any unsuspecting striker.

Our next game against St.Stephen's was not played in light of the work-to-rule by the teachers. This protest action would unfortunately lead to the cancellation of the league. However, in effort to keep the spirit of the game alive, two practice matches were hastily arranged.

In the first of these, Pres defeated San Fernando Government Secondary 2-1 with goals from Smith and Brenton Bain. Notable performances were seen from Nicholas Mackenzie, Bevon Dottin and our 'keeper, David Sobransingh. The last game of the season was played against St.Kevin's College, whose players were rumoured to be over-aged. Despite this, Pres managed to draw the match 2-2. The first goal came from Smith, who slotted the ball past the 'keeper after collecting a defence-piercing through ball. In the second half, a beautiful free-kick by Ross Moze was tipped over bar. The resulting comer found the 'educated' head of an alert Marcos Aimey, who had no problems in registering Pres' second effort.

Despite the setbacks and an abrupt end to the season, Pres was able to show its determination and undying team spirit to record 3 wins and 2 draws in what was another classic Presentation performance.