The 2014 Amsterdam Fives Plate Final was to be contested by Pajero FC and St Paul's College Old Boys. It was perhaps fitting that these two teams would contest the Plate Final as Pajero FC were the highest finishing team in the group phase (3rd in Group A) and St Paul's College Old Boys had the highest points return (9 points in Group C).

We were treated to a cracking game of football and a scintillating finish to today's Plate competition. With the game underway it was St Paul's College Old Boys who opened the scoring through Lewis Howard. Pajero FC hit back through Reece Morrell and it was 1-1. The half-time whistle blew and it was honours even in the opening period.

After the break Reece Morrell struck again to put Pajero FC 2-1 up and turn this game on its head. Anything Pajero FC could do then St Paul's College Old Boys could also do as James West's 7th goal of the tournament put his team level at 2-2. The pendulum swung back all the way to St Paul's College Old Boys when Lewis Howard put them in the lead again at 3-2. With time running out it looked like that may be the winner but Reece Morrell struck a late equalizer for 3-3. It was Morrell's 7th goal of the tournament and just what his team needed – it was also a hat-trick in a European final to complete a fine personal performance.

That was the end of the scoring and so we finished at 3-3. A penalty shoot-out would be needed to decide who would be victorious in this year's Plate competition. Pajero FC would strike first and go ahead as their goalkeeper, James Tucker, put it past his opposite number for 1-0. James West continued his fine scoring form by levelling it at 1-1 before Reece Morrell confidently made it 2-1 to Pajero FC. David Nelson converted to make it 2-2 and then the drama really began.

In the final penalty for each team Pajero FC saw their kick hit the bar and rebound out leaving Andrew Sprosen with the chance to seal it. He saw his penalty cannon back off the post and Pajero FC had a lifeline. They were unable to take advantage as St Paul's goalkeeper Matthew Ford saved the next kick and St Paul's College Old Boys had another opportunity to win it.

Lewis Howard, with 5 goals to his name today, stepped up and cracked his effort, Chris Waddle style, over the boundary fence, over the clubhouse and far away. The score remained at 2-2 in the shootout. Pajero FC then put their 5th penalty wide and after four converted penalties we now had five misses. Up stepped St Paul's College Old Boys goalkeeper Matthew Ford and just like his opposing goalkeeper he converted the spot kick as he powered it through James Tucker in the Pajero FC goal.

St Paul's College Old Boys celebrated in style at the end of the shoot-out, at the presentation, at the post-tournament social and long into the night. Many congratulations to them.

Our condolences go to Pajero FC who were superb on their eurofootballfives.com tournament debut and they would collect runners-up medals for their efforts.