WARTHOGS ... 1 MANCHESTER MACCABI 2nds ... 2: MANCHESTER Maccabi's second team triumphed in a thrilling cup final, to win their first non-Jewish trophy in years, courtesy of goals from Gary Tucker and a dramatic

last minute winner from skipper, Nick Yardley.

Maccabi came into the game in good form on the back of four consecutive victories, and opened in their usual

breathtaking style.

Wingers Paul Basger and David Rosenberg were causing

havoc and creating openings for the front two of Mike Sheldon and Jonny Alexander, but the opening goal would not come.

Instead, Warthogs weathered the storm and began to take control. With a team containing five men over 6 foot 2, it was no suprise that much of the threat came in the air.

It was Warthogs who took the lead after 25 minutes when the giant Skeet beat Sheldon Lee to a header from a free kick. The ball looped goalward and keeper Benebeu was only able to tip the ball onto the bar and back into play; Skeet followed up and forced the ball over the line.

The next goal would be crucial as the match was extremely tight. Maccabi showed bags of spirit and poured forward.

Simon Mann was fouled 10 metres outside the box. Up stepped Gary Tucker and he smashed the ball along the floor just inside the post to give the keeper no chance.

After a half-time pep talk from joint managers Lee and Howard Hyman, Maccabi came out on fire and took the game to Warthogs.

Marc Sheldon and Mann took control and Rosenberg and Basger saw plenty of the ball, and under instructions began to put crosses into the box on the floor.

Time and again Alexander and Sheldon went close but the ball somehow stayed out of the goal. To be fair, the game was not all one way and Warthogs continued to threaten in the air.

Just when it seemed extra-time seemed inevitable, Maccabi won a series of corners. From the third one, Paul Basgers corner fell to the feet of Yardley and he made no mistake from close range, to the delight of Maccabi and their large following, and the dismay of Warthogs.

Manager Hyman said after the game: "First and foremost,it was a cracking game. It was well contested by two even teams, and very well refereed. I am delighted and proud for the team and the club. We deserved to win the game, I am relieved that it didnt go to extra time and penalties."