While the senior final was naturally intense, the minor decider yielded a more eventful spectacle as the two skilful sides adapted to the saturated pitch and produced the most unexpected of twists and turns before Wesley emerged victors in a shoot-out.
Totally against the run of play, St Andrew's snatched the lead when Nicky Stokes scored with admirable composure from a breakaway three minutes from the end of normal time. Wesley, however, returned to the attack and from their 13th short corner which was played out after the final whistle, Richard Margetson delivered the vital touch for the equaliser.
Wesley, driven notably by Alan Blennerhasset, went on to dominate the opening period of extra time and charged 3-1 up through Rowan Pearson and Alex Slazenger. Yet, with unquenchable spirit, St Andrew's rallied for Robbie McFarlane to reduce the deficit after their inspirational captain Gareth Watkins had struck a post and Watkins himself made it 3-3 from a corner in the last minute.
Ultimately the shoot-out saw well-placed strokes by Wesley win the day, 4-3, as their goalkeeper Mark Harkin kept out two St Andrew's flicks. It was his opposite number, Andrew Griffin, however, who won the man-of-the-match award for his saves earlier in the game which contributed to this minor epic.
Wesley College: M Harkin; M Maguire; G Holmes, D Storey, R Margetson; K Taylor, R Pearson (capt), A Blennerhassett; A Slazenger, P Blakeney, N Young: Subs: A McConnell, N Lyons, S Smith.
St Andrew's: A Griffin; I Pearson; D Fox, I Horsfield, P Hamilton; D Kenning, G Watkins (capt), W Bradshaw; R McFarlane, P Balbirnie, A Knight. Subs: N Stokes, R Rees-Brennan, C Peare.
Umpires: T Wynne, G Conn.
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