Maybe the only surprise was how mild the competition was as compared to the weather.

It was an easy win for the defending winter champs Castors as they manhandled second-best Desjardins 8-0 without allowing so much as a fighting whimper or any significant ball possession to their opponents. Ditto for the B1 leaders Marseille, who quashed any notion of a competitive final by blowing out Red Magic 8-2 to become back-to-back champions.

Fab 40 put in a far more spirited effort in the FB Division final but were ultimately tamed by top dog Joga Bonita, who won it 6-5 despite Christina Luciani’s four-goal effort and then seemed at least as equally thrilled at the prospect of free champagne.

New Regime seemed the only underdog determined to be the exception to the rule. Pulling out to a 4-2 lead over B3 favourites FC Victoria Montreal on a beautiful header early in the second half, the squad watched that lead evaporate on a magnificent shot from fairly far out and finally crumble after an uncharacteristic error by keeper Luigi Barbieri led to a game winning free kick in the last minute of play.

Lucky for him, the “win or lose, we booze” rule was already in effect.

Comments? Write me at robert_scalia@hotmail.com or follow me on Twitter @gracebythegun.