THE Archdeacon William E Thompson Park came alive to pulsating Junkanoo music minutes after Dozer Heavy Equipment Company’s Pros sealed a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Miller Construction’s Joshua Knights, enabling the “Southside Boys” to retain their prized Master Softball Association’s post-season laurel in sweeping style.

As was the case a day earlier, manager Jeff Willie’s determined bunch stalked ahead at the outset and had to hold off Joshua Knights advance to atone for losing the sudden-death showdown when they yielded the pennant after a lopsided 18-4 shortened affair two weeks prior.

Not only did players as well as fans from both sides “mix and mingle “ as they partied down into the early evening, for MSA executives pulled off somewhat of a surprise by presenting awards a short time after shortstop Brad Wood squeezed a Gary “Super” Johnson pop up to bring down the curtain on the months- delayed season’s finale to spark celebrations.

Dozer third baseman Brad Smith captured the best-of-three championship series’ coveted MVP award on the strength of swinging a torrid bat in the two-game thriller.

Smith finished with nine hits in 11 trips (spiced with a perfect six for six opening day showing) which produced eight runs batted in, as part of Dozer’s package when the pros triumphed 23-18 to grab the initiative.

The slick fielding Smith had a pair of run-producing singles in the top of the first, when Dozer scored 11 times and never looked back.

Before drilling a one-out solo home run in the seventh, he also tripled and laced a pair of doubles as part of his stellar offensive onslaught.

Seemingly not to be outdone, compact second baseman Godfrey “Gully” Willie stole some of the thunder (thanks to bombing a grand slam) as part of Dozer’s seven run home standing first.

Designed to be or not ( seven/11) worked for Dozer as the Pros had another seven – tally stanzer in the fifth during Sunday’s clincher, when Willie picked up hi final RBI on a sacrifice fly.

Cather Greg Smith tripled to drive over two mates in the inning, as did versatile Selwyn McKenzie’s (who legged out an inside the parker) batting behind Walter Charlton’s hit that gave Smith an easy ride home.

As Joshua’s biggest inning (the sixth) produced guess what (seven) and ( another quartet over the finale before Wood’s memorable snag sealed post-season honours.

Respected Ronald “Big Boy” Seymour’s three-run homer base hit highlighted the sixth and he doubled over one a frame later, before MSA president Rory Newbold’s single gave him an easy ride across the plate.

Two batters later, Fran Adderley’s base hit scored Newbold and after Mike Knowles walked, Johnson popped up to shortstop Wood.

Not too much time passed afterwards before the anxious “Southside Boys” ( with youthful drummer Ladee Da Johnson setting the pace) led elated Dozer Player and fans across inside the park to awakening and spirited Junkanoo sounds, as they did downtown back on New Year’s day when the fun group (many of whom spiced competitive groups number) made their debut in the annual spectacle.

Onlookers even joined in the welcomed side show as “Dae Dae” & company entertained free of charge, waiting for the awards presentation ceremony, during which the repeat champions and pennant winner carted off not only team citations, but individual eye-catchers as well.

Never mind that third place finishers A1/McDonalds Stallions Andy “Smudge” Ford nor Warfield “Bugga” Bain were not at the park, because overjoyed friends readily accepted their awards on their behalf.

Andy (youngest of the reputed Ford sporting family) captured the Masters batting championship by finishing with 23 hits in 27 appearances to finish with a blistering .852 BA to beat out Dozer’s Brad Smiths (.731).

A season-long including the playoffs’ opening round when his team was swept aside by Dozer on the strength of his performance he also won the regular campaign’s cherished MVP trophy.

Teammate Bain claimed the Sluggers prize (home run crown) after whacking eight round-trippers over 10 games to beat out compact BTC Untouchables third sacker Michael “Big Mike” Smith. Both players also had respectable numbers in their batting statistics.

Last, but by no means least, in reference to individuals, Joshua mainstay Jonathon “Carlyle” Armbrister (sibling of world series-acclaimed Ed) was all smiles accepting his best pitcher trophy.

Following the final regular season team standings, along with the hit parade compiled by statistician Jeff Roberts, the final standings can be seen in the table.