A topsy-turvy finish marked the end of the hockey season for another year as Upstarts captured the men?s cup in the Knockout Tournament for the first time ever.

After years of struggling at the bottom of the men?s league, Upstarts found themselves in the cup final against reigning champs ? and winners for the last four years ? Chameleons.

Despite finishing last in the league this year, Chameleons fielded a strong team in the season-ending event and looked favourites to win after beating this year?s league winners, Rebels, in the first round and winning a tense overtime final against BCS Panthers.

But Sunday afternoon at the National Sports Centre it was all about Upstarts, who had finished second last in league play, as they ran out 3-1 winners.

With powerhouses such as Steve Ludgate and Donny Moniz as well as an array of the game?s more flamboyant players such as John Uprichard, Keir Savage and Philip McRoberts, Upstarts presented a strong line-up. But they faced a Chameleons team full of experience ? with Peter Hughes, Peter Illston and captain Bill Spencer lining up next to new, but experienced, recruits Simon Cox and Mark Finnigan.

Chameleons started well in the opening 20 minutes, using their naturally fluid passing game to good effect with attacking play. And they were unlucky not to score with Steve Morton working well down the right.

Upstarts ?keeper Mike Foster had to make a fine save at the feet of John Dodd to stave off one attack ? and injured himself in the process. Then the side suffered a blow when long-serving defender Jon Kook was sent off.

Kook was carded for hitting the ball away and uttering a self directed expletive after a foul, leaving his side to continue with 10 men.

Instead of backing off, however, Upstarts stepped up a gear and won a series of short corners. Striker Donny Moniz soon found the backboard with a crisp well struck finish for the game?s first goal.

Minutes later a sloppy defensive 16-yard hit was intercepted by Moniz, who rounded the keeper with a cool finish to add a second goal.

Chameleons came back strongly in the second half and often had control of the ball but they too found themselves down a man after Upstart Phil McRoberts hacked Peter Illston down from behind. The incident seemed resolved by the two players who shook hands but Illston earned a spell in the ?sin bin? for swearing as he was falling to the ground.

Playing short, Chameleons seemed to tire while Upstarts played with urgency as Phil Mountjoy drilled home a shot into the bottom corner to extend their lead to three.

Mark Pettingill of Chameleons managed to pull a goal back after following up one of the many short corners in the closing stages but some of the side?s older legs were clearly starting to suffer from the exertions of the previous day.

Upstarts manager Kier Savage praised ?a fine performance by the lads.?

?We always knew it would be tough today,? he said. ?We were confident that the age gap would be the difference between the two sides in the hot conditions.?

Chameleons captain Bill Spencer said while the result was disappointing for his team it was good for the league.

?Chameleons were not as sharp today as we would have liked,? he said. ?Upstarts were fresh, sharp and hungry and put on a fine performance to wrestle the cup from our four-year grasp.

?This result, and indeed the whole BHF Knockout Cup weekend, has been a tremendous showcase for the game of hockey on the Island.?

Meanwhile in the women?s leagues, Swallows managed to capture the cup in both A and B play.

In the B final Swallows defeated Cardinals 1-0. And in the A final, Swallows romped to a 6-0 victory over Bluebirds.