Debe High School was crowned queens of the 2009 Girls Big Four competition when they defeated Toco Secondary 3-1 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
A brace from skipper Mariah Shade and a goal from Elizabeth Ng Wai were enough to make Debe comfortable winners despite a late consolation from Minty Cruickshank of Toco.
Fans from both teams were out in their numbers, but it was the Debe High faithful that had more to cheer about at the end of the day.
The first half started with Debe playing in their traditional 4-3-3 formation, looking to put Toco on the back foot early. Probing runs from Mariah Shade and defense splitting passes by Elizabeth Ng Wai was met by some resolute defending from Toco's Patresa Mayers and Tiffany Richards.
Toco's tactics seemed simple enough, consolidate at the back and look for the quick counter attack. Unfortunately for the East Champions, the final pass never found its intended recipient and Debe's backline was not really troubled.
The half ended goal-less with all to play for in the second half.
Debe again came out the more purposeful of the two teams, and they should have had the lead after five minutes when Patrice Vincent beat past Toco defender Lernicia Bobb and hit wide of the far post with only the keeper to beat.
Debe did eventually get the opening item in the 21st minute when Kayla Taylor's right sided cross deflected off a Toco defender and ballooned onto the crossbar and on the goal line, leaving Elizabeth Ng Wai the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net to give her team a deserved lead.
The goal seemed to deflate Toco Secondary who up to that point kept their shape defensively.
Less than ten minutes later, Debe doubled their lead. This time Ng Wai was the provider when she slipped another telling pass through the heart of the Toco defense onto the onrushing Mariah Shade who calmly slipped the ball past the advancing Tishara Hernandez in the Toco goal.
Debe put the icing on the cake in the 35th minute when Shade again used her pace to devastating effect as she found herself on the receiving end of a long ball over the top of the Toco defense. Shade touched the ball around the advancing Hernandez and again coolly tucked the ball into the empty goal to spark the celebrations in the stands. The game was well and truly over.
Credit to Toco though as they continued to persevere, and they were rewarded with a consolation goal in added on time. The ball rolled nicely for Toco's Minty Cruickshank who hit from just inside the goal area. Although the initial attempt was blocked by the advancing Linfah Jones in the Debe goal, Cruickshank was first to the rebound and slotted into the empty net much to the delight of the Toco fans who did not have much to cheer about for most of the match.
The referee blew the final whistle soon after and the Debe High School celebrations began.
Congratulations to Debe High School....2009 Girls Big 4 winners!