And for the second year in a row the game could not be decided in regulation time.
The final was always going to be an exciting affair, as both these teams like to attack and it was merely minutes from the starting whistle when the real action
began. After some slick build-up, striker Craig Turner scored for Kings with a magnificent reverse stick shot into the bottom corner, in the fourth minute.
Not to be outdone, University marched up the field and earned a penalty corner. This season University has been able to rely on the drag flicking of Henry Will and this was no different, as Will whipped the ball into the side netting to even the score.
The frenetic pace continued as Lawson Davison got Kings back in the lead with a skilled receive, turn and shot, all in one motion, also hitting the absolute corner with a pinpoint reverse shot. Three goals in 11 minutes but the first quarter still was not done, as University again earned a PC. This time, the Will flick was saved but Devanand Bhika volleyed it home from close range in another top display of skill. Kings was nearly able to score again before quarter time, but 2-2 it was.
The second quarter was almost like a different game. The pace was there but the chances did not seem to be coming. Right on half time, Kings earned a PC of its own and Hitaua Doyle converted the flick to regain the lead.
The third quarter of the match was much the same as the second, with the game being played more in the middle of the field. Late on in the period, Doyle scored again after a series of penalty corners.
A two-goal lead is always a dangerous place to be and University was not giving up.
Still at 4-2 with merely four minutes remaining, the Whales gave Will another chance and he made no mistake. With just a one-goal deficit, University could sniff a chance and with just 35sec remaining, it was PC time again. Everyone in the ground knew it was going to be Will, but he could not be stopped, bagging his third and taking the match to a penalty shootout.
The shootout started with five consecutive makes, then four misses, but University converted its last to take it to sudden death. However, it was not able to score again and Turner made no mistake, to seal the title for Kings.
- Matthew West
