City of Manchester defeated Penguin at the fourth attempt today to qualify for tomorrow's men's Champions Cup final against BWPL champions Polytechnic at Coventry.
In the sides' previous meetings this season, there had been two draws and a single-goal win for the Londoners. This time, after another nail-biting finish, it was Manchester who prevailed - 12-11.
Manchester seemed to have the game under control in a dominant second period, when they went from 3-3 to 8-3, with goals by Dan Paddon, Kai Dowling and Rory Inman, plus a couple of sharp man-up finishes by Jordan Elliot.
It was 9-6 to Manchester after three periods but Penguin battled on, recovering to trail 10-8 and then, thanks to a couple of goals from Harry Dunkerley, 12-10. Just 47 seconds remained when Andrea Tulli converted a penalty for Penguin, who then won possession and called a time-out with 20 seconds remaining.
Manchester pressed hard . . . and held out - no doubt grateful to goalkeeper Tom Manley for some brilliant saves at key points in the game.
Earlier, Polytechnic eased into the final with a 17-7 victory over Sutton & Cheam. The Championship 1 winners made a spirited start. They were 2-1 ahead after the first period - their goalkeeper Matt Holland saved a penalty - and trailed only 5-4 midway through the second.
Then Poly, bidding to complete a League and Champions League double, took charge. It was 7-5 after two quarters, rapidly improved to 12-6 in the third, including three smart goals by Liam Neill, the top marksman in BWPL Super 5s this season.
In the sides' previous meetings this season, there had been two draws and a single-goal win for the Londoners. This time, after another nail-biting finish, it was Manchester who prevailed - 12-11.
Manchester seemed to have the game under control in a dominant second period, when they went from 3-3 to 8-3, with goals by Dan Paddon, Kai Dowling and Rory Inman, plus a couple of sharp man-up finishes by Jordan Elliot.
It was 9-6 to Manchester after three periods but Penguin battled on, recovering to trail 10-8 and then, thanks to a couple of goals from Harry Dunkerley, 12-10. Just 47 seconds remained when Andrea Tulli converted a penalty for Penguin, who then won possession and called a time-out with 20 seconds remaining.
Manchester pressed hard . . . and held out - no doubt grateful to goalkeeper Tom Manley for some brilliant saves at key points in the game.
Earlier, Polytechnic eased into the final with a 17-7 victory over Sutton & Cheam. The Championship 1 winners made a spirited start. They were 2-1 ahead after the first period - their goalkeeper Matt Holland saved a penalty - and trailed only 5-4 midway through the second.
Then Poly, bidding to complete a League and Champions League double, took charge. It was 7-5 after two quarters, rapidly improved to 12-6 in the third, including three smart goals by Liam Neill, the top marksman in BWPL Super 5s this season.
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