TUATARA Bar retained the Freshbites Maiden Street Trophy, edging out the threat of both Bar 314 and Market House to secure the local bragging rights for another year.

In the end it was relatively plain sailing for the Weyland Construction Weymouth Sunday League Premiership title hopefuls – but a resurgent Market House ran them close for a short period.

It was the second year of the annual competition, with the previous year’s event ending in a 6-0 win for the T-Bar.

With that result fresh in the memory, Tuatara were confident of repeating that success, but they were to find themselves up against a much-improved opposition.

The three-game round-robin competition began with an encounter between the Premiership’s Bar 314 and Championship outfit Market House.

It was a determined performance from both teams, in which the pendulum swung both ways.

Market House took an early lead before 314 scored either side of the break to edge in front.

However, the former exhibited fantastic spirit to equalise before grabbing a late winner to take all three points.

There was little time to rest for the surprise victors as they were thrown straight into their second match against T-Bar, knowing that victory would guarantee them the cup and render the final game a mere battle for pride.

Buoyed by their opening result, the Championship side went toe-to-toe with T-Bar and looked every bit as threatening as their more illustrious opponents.

In fact, when Tom Grattidge broke away and got the opener for T-Bar early in the second half, it was arguably against the run of play.

Market House though, responded in fine fashion with Cameron Lucas grabbign an equaliser.

However, T-Bar’s Simon Meadows headed home late on before Grattidge wrapped up the win with a fine second.

With Market House and T-Bar level on three points, Bar 314 suddenly had a potential route back in, knowing a sound victory over Tuatara would see them lift the trophy in their maiden appearance.

Their aspirations were short-lived as they were unfortunate to find Grattidge at his devastating best.

The game was not even five minutes old when James Roper opened the scoring for the holders with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area.

On seven minutes Tuatara Bar were two in front. Fantastic work from Grattidge provided Charlie Kenderdine with a simple finish for 2-0.

Skipper Danny Dancer was next on the scoresheet before Grattidge grabbed two solo goals before the break.

Despite the 5-0 scoreline, Bar 314 were still offering some threat up top. And it came as little surprise when Jimmy Douglas thumped home a consolation.

However, good work from Grattidge again, set up Dancer for 6-1, before completing his hat-trick late on.

A jubilant Dancer lifted the trophy – one which T-Bar hope will not be the only one they collect this season.