High five for Don Bosco

Riding on Rahul Swami's brace, Don Bosco, Matunga won their fifth straight Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) U-16 Division I title, defeating arch-rivals St Stanislaus, Bandra 3-0 at Azad Maidan yesterday.

Don Bosco players celebrate their win over St Stanislaus at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pic/Satyajit Desai

Rahul put Bosco in front in the 12th minute. Striker Marc D'Souza added to the tally seven minutes later, thanks to a brilliant solo effort. The 14-year-old Rahul scored again in the 45th minute.

The other title aspirants, Jamnabai Narsee (Juhu) had to be content with a second-place finish even though they beat St Anne's, Malad 2-0. Both Don Bosco and Jamnabai finished on 26 points each but the former triumphed thanks to a better goal difference.

Marc, who emerged the highest scorer with nine goals said, "I am happy that we won, but sad that I couldn't score more goals this season. Last year, in the U-14 division I scored 14 goals.

There was a lot of competition this year as some good players were competing. Now, I want to win the Ahmed Sailor title and the District Sports Office title for the team before I pass out from school."

Meanwhile, double celebrations await Rahul, the star of yesterday's show. Being a boarder, he was promised that if he scored in the final there would be a special treat for him. "I felt proud when Fr Bosco D'Mello congratulated me. Scoring in the final meant a lot to me.

As I am a boarder, Fr (Roy Noronha) had promised me that if I score, he would take me out for a special treat. I am looking forward to the dual celebration," said the mid-fielder.

Meanwhile, St Mary's ICSE, Mazagaon defeated Don Bosco, Borivli 1-0 to lift the U-16 Div II title and earn a promotion to Division I after a gap of three years.u00a0