The University of Balamand Razorbacks ended an six-year trophy drought by claiming the 2011-12 LRLF Shield Championship courtesy of a 34-16 win over a highly fancied Lebanese American University outfit at Balamand on Wednesday night.

Balamand’s last title – clinched following an uncannily similar 36-14 victory over LAU in the 2006 Spring Championship – featured a league leading 68 points from Allen Soultan, and it was the former Western Suburbs man, then a precocious 18-year-old, now the blue-and-golds’ player-coach, who was instrumental in their triumph.

Soultan scored his side’s first try and had a hand in all but one of the others as the northerners overturned a 12-10 halftime deficit to win handsomely. LAU had won the old, university-only format a record six times out of ten editions, and this inaugural Rugby League Shield competition, in effect Lebanon’s second division, sees Balamand, who lost only one match all season, edge closer with three titles.

Soultan, who took part in the Cedars' world cup bid last year, was jubilant: "Congratulations to my boys on a well deserved win and a fitting end to a successful year. Seeing them evolving into the players they have become has been very rewarding and I see a bright future in the game for all of them. Well done once again!"

In a statement, the LRLF said: “The Federation would like to congratulate the University of Balamand and all its players on a great effort and we look forward to them defending their title in the 2012-13 season.”