Youth ruled at the Hockey Federation's Knock-Out Cup which culminated over the weekend with wins from the Panthers in men's play and the Saltus team, Swifts, in the women's B pool.

With an average age of somewhere between 18 and 20, Panthers seemed to simply have the legs that the veteran teams may have lost.

This year, they won the league title for the first time in history and then added a Cup victory as the icing on the cake.

Perhaps, their toughest test in the tournament was Saturday's semi-final against Upstarts, a fast-paced match with consistent end-to-end action.

Panthers managed to find the net first but Upstarts soon turned on the style and pressure to score twice and take a one-goal lead.

But Panthers equalised with just 80 seconds left in regulation time to take the game into sudden-death overtime.

Two minutes into the second five-minute half of extra time, Matthew Spencer converted a short corner after an excellent display of close control skill to win the spot in the final for Panthers.

Facing Chameleons on Sunday ? who won their spot with a decisive victory over Rebels ? Panthers were hungry to double their titles.

Justin Barritt opened the scoring and two more quick strikes followed from Spencer and captain Stephen Troake to allow Panthers to close the first half of the match with a three-goal lead.

Chameleons came out gunning in the second, but Panthers managed to control the midfield and add a fourth goal from Simon Farrington.

Chameleons then pulled a goal back when Steve Moreton fired home on short corner. But Panthers replied with another strike from Troake to re-establish their four-goal cushion.

Determined, Chameleons kept hammering away and grabbed another goal from Jon Dodd.

But Troake was soon back to complete his hat-trick on a well worked short corner.

The 6-2 win captured, the Panthers then lapped the pitch to the applause of a sizeable crowd of delighted spectators.

Coach Nigel Pichery said the reality that the team was about to win the cup ? in addition to the league title ? did not sink in until they scored their fifth goal.

"After that strike I knew that the Chameleons were done," he said.

Youngsters also captured the women's B Cup, with the teenaged Swifts knocking back league-winning Swallows 2-0 in the final on Sunday.

Swifts totally dominated the first ten minutes of play with right wing Vanessa Kent seemingly running though the Swallows defence at will.

The midfield was controlled by Brittany Farias, Keishae Robinson and Tse Minors. Francesca Cacace netted the first goal about ten minutes into the first half after a good cross from the right by Robinson.

Paget Holland then converted on a penalty corner before the break to take Swifts up two goals.

Swallows applied much more pressure in the second half but great marking by the Swifts defence ? especially by Jasmine Patterson, who marked the ever dangerous Karen Campbell totally out of the game ? held the scoreline in their favour.

Goalkeeper Angela Dunstan stepped up with two important saves in the last five minutes to ensure the win.

There is always an exception to the rule, however, as Swallows older and experienced A squad proved in this tournament.

Swallows capped a stellar, unbeaten season with a Knock-Out Cup win as well.

The team clearly dominated the A league this year and faced their nearest rival, Ravens, in the final Cup match after beating Swifts A team 2-0 in their semi-final.

Ravens tried to keep the final competitive but Swallows had brought their power game and cleaned off their season with 3-0 victory and a second title.