SAJ football team members and supporters celebrate the team's victory in the finals of the KSAFA Business House Division Two tournament. Team SAJ defeated Courts 3-0 to take top honours. - Contributed

The Shipping Association of Jamaica's football team, captained by stevedore Hawthorne Ellis, are the KSAFA Business House Division Two champions.

SAJ had been absent from the Business House competition for 10 years but returned with a bang thanks to discipline, teamwork and the able coaching of Michael Francis.

In the Business House Division Two final, played on Saturday, September 2, at the Constant Spring football field, the SAJ team defeated Courts Jamaica for the second time this year, this time 3-0.

Penalty

Having taken command of the midfield from the start, SAJ were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute when Damion Rodney of Courts stopped a pass with his hand in the box. Referee Winston Delahaye pointed to the spot without hesitation and captain Ellis converted with a well-placed shot that gave keeper Nickomo Rainford absolutely no chance.

Marvin Jones got the second goal when he outjumped three defenders and headed past Rainford in the 17th minute. Team SAJ stamped their superiority on the proceedings in the 28th minute when Ian McFarlane scored his team's third goal. Both SAJ and Courts have been promoted to Division One as a result of their proud performances in Division Two.

Celebrations

SAJ President Michael Bernard, managers and staff were on hand to support the team and join in the celebrations that followed on the rain-soaked Constant Spring playing field.

In the Challenge competition, which is contested between KSAFA's Division One and Division Two Champions, the Gleaner Company defeated the SAJ 2-0 at the Old Men's Hockey Field, Mona, last Thursday.

Members of the SAJ Football team are: Hawthorne Ellis - captain; Marvin Jones - vice-captain; Sam McFarlane; Orville McFarlane; Shawn Gaynor; Garfield Cooke; Garfield Brown; Owen Neuville; Akeeli Martin; Errol Burgess; Blanford Hall; Kevin Malcolm; Peter Boreland; Kemar Branch; Giovanni Phipps; Jermaine Johnson; Rohan McFarlane; Garth Forbes; Dwight Lewis; Lynford Grant; Dwayne Shaw; Dean Stewart; Kirk McKenzie; Mark Butler; Courtney Bogle; Sean Smith; Horace Forbes - manager; Newton Brown - manager; Michael Francis - coach.

Taken from The Daily Gleaner, September 12, 2006