KELSEY Benjamin, regarded as one of the best youth football players in Guyana, entertained a massive crowd at the Ministry of Education Ground when he fired in a helmet-trick (four goals) to help Chase Academy “hammer” Lodge Secondary 9 – 0 and in the process, retain their Petra Organisation/Milo Schools Football tournament title.Lodge Secondary had won the inaugural title, while Chase Academy had hoisted the trophy for the first time last year.

The Petra Organisation/Milo-sponsored tournament has easily grown to become the most sought-after title for the football-playing Georgetown schools over the last four years.

The tournament was birthed to give the city schools a chance of being better prepared for the national tournament organised by Digicel and which was won for four consecutive years by Linden’s Christianburg Wismar Secondary School. In fact, Linden played in each of the tournament’s final and lost only in initial final to the Georgetown Technical Institute.

Following up on their 6 – 0 semi-final win over South Ruimveldt Secondary, Chase certainly saved their best performance in the tournament for the final against Lodge Secondary who had edged Queens College (1 – 0) in their semi-final.

Ralph Parris scored the game’s first goal in the 12th minute, then Ryan Hackett in the 24th minute, doubled the lead for the champions. Benjamin got his first of the four goals in the 26th minute, while Parris completed his double on the night in the 40th minute as Chase closed the first half leading 4 – 0.

However, the floodgates began to open just two minutes into the second half as Benjamin netted his second. He (Benjamin) added more wood to the already blazing Chase Academy fire when he converted his efforts in the 58th and 66th minutes.

Hackett secured his double in the 50th minute and Sunil Logan bagged Chase’s ninth goal in the 82nd with the champions literally not giving the Lodge Secondary School a chance to actually be in the game.

Meanwhile, in the day’s opening game, South Ruimveldt defeated Queens College 2 – 0, thanks to goals from Cecil Jackman (22nd) and Adrian Aaron (23rd).

The Annual Milo-sponsored U-20 Schools football tournament, featured 32 high schools in Georgetown but in the end, it was Chase Academy who walked away with the tournament’s first prize of $500 000, which will go to their school.

Lodge Secondary had to settle for $300 000, South Ruimveldt $200 000 and $100 000 went to Queens College.