Members of Portmore United celebrate with the Red Stripe Premier League title. - Winston Sill

A relieved Portmore United captain Ricardo Cousins admitted that the team had to dig deep in order to finally secure the 2011-2012 Red Stripe Premier League, following a 1-1 draw with Waterhouse, at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

"It is really an overwhelming feeling, to be honest," Cousins told Star Sports.

"Things were not going our way in the last part of the season and we had to dig deep because it was largely a young set of guys who had not won before, and the belief instilled in us and the hard work that we put in paid off in the end and we are thankful."

The St Catherine team stumbled over the line to claim a fifth National Premier League in the ultimate round of matches. Portmore came into the final round knowing that a defeat would open the door for second-place Boys' Town, but their nerves were settled early when Adoah Nickle put the home team ahead in the third minute. Things were once again put on a knife's edge when Damarley Samuels pulled Waterhouse level in the 18th minute.

The St Catherine-based team missed a glorious opportunity to secure their first victory in six games when Andrew Vanzie's penalty was saved by Water-house's custodian Richard McCallum. Portmore, however, defended stoutly and were able to secure the draw, which took them to 67 points.

Portmore had entered the fourth round, which consisted of five games, with a 10-point lead.

Waterhouse placed third in the standing having accumulated 59 points.

Boys' Town got by Humble Lion 3-0 at the Effortville Community Centre, but for the second consecutive season had to be contented with the runner-up spot in the 12-team table having amassed 66 points.

Boys' Town's goals were scored by Rafiek Thomas (41st and 68th) and Marvin Morgan (44th).

Humble Lion, which outside of the two relegated teams, Village United and Reno, finished with the worst home record and placed fourth with a total of 57 points. Dethroned champions Tivoli Gardens finished a disappointing fifth in the table with 56 points after clipping sixth-place Harbour View 2-1 at the Edward Seaga Complex.

The Stars of the East, who ended with 53 points, got their goal courtesy of a 44th-minute strike by Damion Harwood.

Seventh-place Arnett Gardens and 10th-place Highgate United played out a 1-1 all draw at the Anthony Spaulding Complex, after both teams conceded own goals. This saw Arnett finish with 53 points, while Highgate ended on 40.

The two relegated teams Village United (29) and Reno (28) also played out a 1-1 draw at Frome Complex.