School football: Thunder and lightning brought play to a halt for 20 minutes in two Barnet Schools' Cup finals at East Barnet.

The U14 match between Edgware and Mill Hill County and the U15 game in which Christ's College faced Hendon were interrupted after rapidly deteriorating conditions caused concern for the safety of the young players.

One referee said: "I remember Spurs star John White being killed when he was struck by lightning while playing golf, and I couldn't put the lives of these lads at risk."

In the U14 clash, Douglas Kisuule gave Edgware an early lead with a tremendous shot from 25 yards, but Mill Hill equalised shortly before half-time.

Only two minutes' play was possible in the second period, before the storm erupted.

Following the resumption, extra time looked likely until Reon Williams fired home the winner for Edgware.

EDGWARE: Sam Moore, Kirk Stout, Arran Dennis, Elvis Bani, Matthew Eames, Arran Barrow, Arran Woodcock, Douglas Gullen, Douglas Kisuule, Reon Williams, Laurence Ifeoza. Sub: Dennis Kelly.

In the U15 final, Daniel Laidlaw-King (2) and Alex Augustine (penalty) gave Christ's College a 3-0 lead.

Though Leigh Wooldridge replied, Augustine hit his second to make it 4-1. Then battling Hendon scored again through Andrew Ifode.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE: Adnan Salami; Tusher Depala, Sean Hill, Daniel Hyde, Jemahl Alart; Joe Manoli, George Adigbli, Tom Kolecki, Kofi Bossman (Billy De Friend); Alex Augustine, Daniel Laidlaw-King.

HENDON: Michael Kersley, Jason King, Jamie Diston, Leigh Wooldridge, Andrew Diston, Edvardo Ventura, Callum Martin, Carl Martin, Andrew Ifode, Tom Wilson, Simon Johnson, Chris Kyei.

Finchley Catholic High, beaten 2-1 by Ashmole in the U12 League Cup semi-final, got their revenge by the same score in the Barnet Schools Cup final.

Taking an early lead through Tom Mark, Finchley were well on top in the first half, and went further ahead when Tom Gillespie. struck.

Julian Kelly's goal revived Ashmole's hopes but Finchley defended well to stay ahead.

ASHMOLE: Stephen Kalli, Sam Hibberd, Mark Golding, Daniel McGuile, Alex Violaris, Spencer Styillianou, Ryan Norris, Julian Kelly, Nico Papadopoulous, Adam Lander, Ara Altaparmariam. Subs: Charlie Constantnides, Demetris Karaolis, John McNicholas, Liam Dease.

FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH: Alessandro Birri, Tom Healy, Tom Mark, Tom Gillespie, Mick Lynch, Shane McWeeney, Daniele Bishop, James Ryan, Luke Bishop, Dominic Corr, Ben Butler.

A rare cup triumph was achieved by Ravenscroft when the U13s beat Finchley Catholic High 2-1.

The goals, by Bradley Last and Danny Hart, came in a five-minute spell midway through the second half. Sean Power was on target for Finchley.

RAVENSCROFT: Nick Hardy, Ryan Grieves, Abis Osman, Albert Boateng, Andrew Timbrell, James Lamptey, Adam Ghani, Majid Hussain, Chris Thornton, Bradley Last, Danny Hart. Subs: Mauri Rivera, John Brown.

FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH: George McMahon, Tom Jackson, James Trainer, Mark O'Donoghue, Michael Dinnage, James Troy, Jack Keogh, Conor Walsh, Power, John Hurley, John Duignan, Jermaine Anaman, Jack McHale, Liam Donnelley.

Ashmole U16s ensured the school's second trophy with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory against East Barnet after the match had ended in a 1-1 draw.

East Barnet suffered more agony as the U19s were beaten 4-1 by Woodhouse College.

May 8, 2002 13:30