LIVINGSTON SCOTT, STAR Writer

St Andrew champion, Denvers Crescent All Stars, became the first parish champion to the retain their LIME futsal crown after the defeated UWI 7-6 to walk away with the $150,000 prize after a pulsating final victory at Lime Light Plaza on Saturday.

After going out disappointingly at the quarter-final stage last year, Denver coach, Jerovis Grant, said they are determined to make a bigger mark at the national tournament this year.

"We know it won't be easy, but we have 10 talented players ready to carry it home. We are going to country (rural area) to win our two games and come back to town and win the others. Last year, we fell at the quarter-final, and this year, we are determined to do better," he said.

On Saturday, Denver Crescent barely made the final as they only advanced by virtue of beating Tower Hill 2-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Their final opponent, UWI, turned back Shakespeare 4-2 to book their spot.

Both teams went toe to toe in the deciding game, but led by a hat-trick from the tournament's top scorer, Wayne Williams, Denvers prevailed by the odd goal in 13 (7-6) to emerge as the winner and became the first team to successfully defended their title.

Grant said they were always confident of retaining the title and credited their togetherness and team unity for their success.

"Our team have players playing together for years in small side and six-a-side competitions ... and we stuck with the players who are used to playing together, and that was key," he noted.

In the Kingston tournament, the competition's topscorer Tamar Edwards (7 goals) scored five times in the final to lead Orange Villa past Youth Motivators 7-5.