Somerset earned a berth in the Shield final at the expense of Wolves following a tense, heated battle at BAA Field last night.

In a match featuring an abundance of rough play, one red card, a mini melee involving players and a few rabid spectators and continual verbal bashing of the officiating from both benches, the West Enders were able to prevail.

Second half goals from forwards Everett Wellman and Michael Brangman set Somerset apart from their opponents, who could only muster a late strike by midfielder Jomar Wilkinson.

The match began at a frantic pace, with action switching from end to end as each side sought to achieve the early edge.

Wilkinson came close to giving Wolves the lead in the 16th minute when he powered a header from a right side free kick goalward, only to have goalkeeper Keenan Tucker in perfect position to thwart the attempt.

At the other end Wellman produced a volley after 24 minutes that took a wicked deflection off the leg of a defender and dipped inches over the crossbar.

However, the veteran striker would not be denied moments into the second half as Burgess made the first of two costly blunders.

A long ball into the Wolves penalty area after 52 minutes bounced free of the young 'keeper's clutches, falling perfectly at the feet of Wellman, who coolly controlled before banging in from 12 yards.

Two minutes later the bad blood between the two sides boiled over after Tucker and Wolves striker Khari Sharrieff collided, with much pushing and shoving and at least one punch thrown as players as well as a few fans converged in front of goal.

Referee George O'Brien was eventually able to diffuse the situation, sending off Somerset centre-back Darin Minors in the process.

A man short it appeared Somerset would make prime pickings for Wolves, yet Trojans moved further ahead in the 78th minute, with Brangman alert to intercept an attempted thrown clearance by Burgess and bury a low shot past the stranded 'keeper.

Wilkinson reduced the deficit by heading in a loose ball from a left-wing corner by substitute Ricardo Nesbitt four minutes later, triggering a furious final eight minutes, but Somerset survived for the win.