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The T&T Pro League's top two clubs shared pleasantries at the final whistle on Saturday afternoon, although there could be just one destination for the most coveted trophy in Trinidad and Tobago's domestic game.

CLICO San Juan Jabloteh successfully defended their Pro League crown and added the Lucozade Big Six gong for good measure after a goalless draw at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. But Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick applauded Connection for their heroic challenge.

Jabloteh and Connection have been bitter-and sometimes violent-rivals in past seasons but there was mutual respect after a title race that left the other eight clubs as spectators. In the end, 25 points separated second-placed Connection from third-placed Economy North East Stars.

It is Fenwick's third league title in five full seasons with the club, while Jabloteh's fourth league triumph made the "San Juan Kings" the most successful league outfit in Trinidad and Tobago's ten-year professional football history.

Connection managed three league titles within that period, while bmobile Joe Public, North East Stars and Defence Force have one apiece.

"The first (league title) for the club was obviously special," said Fenwick, a former England World Cup player, "but the manner we did it this time and with the pressure that we withstood with a lot of kids in our squad made this one very special and it was back to back as well.

"Last year, we won the league with 62 points but this time we got 12 points more. Ourselves and Connection were nearly 30 points clear of third place and that is unbelievable.

"I take a lot of pride in not just our players but our background staff as well and am especially delighted that we finished our season with a total Trinidad side. I think there is an abundance of talent here but sometimes attitude and discipline lets Trinidadians down."

Fenwick admitted that Connection jangled nerves in San Juan as they steadily whittled away an 11-point gap.

"Connection had a great season," he said. "After every game, we would ask how Connection did and would hear they won again I can't knock what they have done. To be unbeaten in over 20 games is brilliant."

Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier felt his charges ran out of steam in the end and struggled to lift their energy level after another convoluted late-season fixture list.

"I want to congratulate Jabloteh," said the celebrated St Lucian coach. "This was our 26th game without a defeat which showed our consistency but it was not enough. Our form earlier in the season let us down."

Fenwick was happy to claim the tactical victory on the weekend as Jabloteh restricted Connection to long balls while their central defensive pairing of Joel Russell and Robert Primus-both 18 years old-withstood the opposing frontline of "Soca Warrior" Andre Toussaint, St Kitts captain George Isaacs, Colombian Oscar Torijano and Teba McKnight.

"We didn't allow them to settle and forced them to play long balls," said Fenwick. "After the first ten minutes and the Toussaint effort, I can't remember them having anything significant I thought Russell and Primus were excellent. Both are 18-year-olds and that has to be the future of Trinidad and Tobago right there."

Both coaches agreed on Jabloteh captain Trent Noel as their choice for Player of the Season and Fevrier, a former Trinidad and Tobago head coach, was particularly liberal in his praise.

"I would not pick a national team without Trent Noel," said the Connection coach. "He can attack, he can defend, he is fit, he is consistent, he can set up goals and score goals and he has international experience.

"What more can (Trinidad and Tobago coach Francisco Maturana) want?"