Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Bank of Nova Scotia's (BNS) Damion Gordon (second right) heads a ball away from his goal as he is being challenged by a player from Ballaz during the final of the Catherine's Peak Five-a-side Beach Football competition at the Barbican playing field yesterday. Looking on are BNS's goalie Antar Freeman (left) and Nicholas McCreath. -photo by LeVaughn Flynn

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) emerged champions of the two-day Catherine's Peak Independence Five-A-Side Beach Football Tournament, this after beating Ballaz 5-4 in the final yesterday at Barbican playing field.

Barbican's women captured the female title and $5,000 after defeating Maverley 5-1 in the final.

BNS booked their spot in the final by defeating Tankweld 6-3 in the semi-final, while Ballaz edged Morgan's Pass 2-1 in the other semi-final.

BNS collected the Catherine's Peak trophy and $50,000 for their efforts, while Ballaz received a trophy and $25,000 for the runners-up spot.

Most Valuable Player

Ludwick Weith of BNS copped the leading goalscorer's title with 15 goals and Damion Gordon, also of BNS, won the most valuable player (MVP) award for scoring four goals in the final.

Nicholas McCreath, captain of BNS, was delighted with his team's victory.

"It was a good victory," said McCreath, who represents Tivoli Gardens in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL). "This was a total team effort because everybody played really hard and we got a victory in the end."

McCreath added: "We have been winning a number of matches recently, so we just like to keep it going because we have two very crucial matches coming up in the business house competition this week which is a lot bigger than this."

Sherrick Williams, captain of Ballaz, said: "I think that indiscipline cost us the game today because this is the first time we are playing as a team and everybody was anxious to play in the finals."