Shield Semi-Final
Robin Hood 0 Somerset Trojans 1
Somerset Trojans booked their place in the Shield final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Robin Hood at the PHC Stadium. A tense encounter was settled by a second-half strike from Kymani McNeil, setting up a New Year's Day clash with Boulevard Blazers.
The two sides, locked on 10 points apiece in the First Division, renewed their rivalry with a place in the final at stake. Robin Hood held the psychological edge after defeating the Trojans 2-1 at the BAA Field earlier this month, but this semi-final proved to be a cagey affair.
A goalless first half saw both teams struggle to create clear-cut chances. However, the deadlock was broken shortly after the restart when McNeil found the back of the net in the 47th minute, giving the Trojans a crucial lead.
Robin Hood pushed for an equalizer, but the Trojans defense held firm to secure their passage to the final. The victory marks a return to the Shield final for Somerset, who last reached the showpiece event in the 2008/09 season.
The final, scheduled for New Year's Day at the Somerset Cricket Club, promises to be an intriguing encounter. Boulevard Blazers, who secured their place in the final with a resounding 7-1 victory over Somerset Eagles, will provide a stern test for the Trojans.
For Robin Hood, this defeat brings their Shield campaign to an end. Despite the disappointment, they can take pride in their performance and will now turn their attention to their remaining league fixtures.
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