After strikers on both sides laboured for 90 minutes without scoring a single goal, Queen's Royal College defeated St Mary's College in a one-sided penalty shootout 3-0, to win the Coca Cola North Zone Intercol final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday.

Spectators at the venue looked on in excitement, shock and  awe as a series of missed chances proved to be the most entertaining part of the match as both teams attempted to take control of the game.

Christian Briggs had a chance to put CIC ahead in the 6th minute but shot straight at Royalians goalkeeper Kareem Joseph.

Moments later, QRC's Akil Clarke's cross was just out of the reach of Qualanson Archibald, who would almost certainly have scored had he gotten a boot on it.

Poor defending almost cost QRC in the 13th minute but Joseph showed composure to deal with a threat from Renaldo Garcia and steal the ball in the box.

The momentum of the match kept changing throughout the first half and when QRC's midfielder Duane Muckette wowed the crowd with some stunning ball control in the 26th minute, it was followed by a St Mary's counter attack but Dillon Kirton lobbed over bar.

The goalless first half promised much and almost immediately on resumption, Clarke's grounded shot was stopped by CIC keeper, Rheem Belgrave.

At the opposite end, CIC got the ball into the back of the net only to have their celebrations cut short as the goal was ruled offside.

The tension continued to build as corners, free kicks and through passes moved from side to side and in the 59th minute, QRC's Akil Morris shot just wide of the upright after being set free.

The excitement continued well into the final moments with neither team able to get the ball into the net.

And when the referee finally ended the regulation period, another tense shootout was anticipated.

However, this did not prove to be the case as the Royalians converted three of their four shots, while the Saints went marching home without a conversion.

Goalkeeper Joseph turned into the night's hero, blocking two of the CIC shots. Tomorrow action shifts to the east, where St Augustine will take on El Dorado at the Larry Gomes Stadium, from 5 p.m.

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