DEFENDING champion St Pius primary failed to overcome a stern test from the ever-improving Marian Academy, who went one step closer this year to book their place in the finals of the Courts Optical U11 Pee Wee Football Championship.

The semifinal stage of the 11th edition of the competition saw two hotly contested semifinal clashes at the Ministry of Education ground.
The champion St. Pius Primary opened the day’s action against Marian Academy Primary.
Cristiano Larose, who had been with the squad for a couple of years, came into his own this campaign with several goals for his team over the course of the competition.

In the semi’s Larose worked his way through an opening in St Pius defence before launching one pass St Pius Custodian to take the lead in the 10th minute of play as they went into the half up 1-nil.
After the resumption, Marian didn’t sit on the laurels as their talisman Larose returned to double the advantage with a beautiful strike in the 25th minute of play to register a double.

St Pius searching for their first goal saw Jovaine Wright stepping up for the champs to pull back the score line in the dying minutes of the contest.
It was a bitter end for the champs after a bruising competition where they dominated the earlier round and the quarter finals but will have to rebuild for the 2025 season after stumbles in the last two clashes.

It was however a vindication for Marian Academy coach Troy Wright who took over the team last year and has overseen their improvement leaps and bounds.
He will have the opportunity next Saturday to win the Courts Optical Pee Wee title with a third team after winning with Enterprise and St Agnes prior.

Meanwhile in the second semifinal encounter, interior Santa Rosa primary put on a dominant display to send the prolific St. John Baptist Primary, who have stopped teams with double digits scores, home.
St John despite form and star power found their kryptonite when they locked horns with Santa Rosa.

Santa Rosa’s Deon Henry and Ethan Richards with goals in the 14th and 17th minutes had their side 2-nil up at the half.
St. John Baptist Primary found their consolation goal off the cleats of Kareme Welcome in the 27th minute of play.
Santa Rosa looking dominant through-out the encounter held strong at the end for the victory.

Marian Academy have one final hurdle in Santa Rosa who they will meet on Saturday at the CARFESTA Avenue ground for the coveted pee wee football championship title.
Santa Rosa meanwhile have nothing to lose and all the glory awaiting them as they seek to capture their first Pee Wee Title.