Hours after coaching PHC Zebras to a second Martonmere Cup final in four years, deputising coach Mark Wade paid tribute to his team for executing the game plan with precision.

Zebras outbattled perennial rivals Somerset Trojans in a match that went right down to the wire at the Den on Monday night.

PHC entered the game wearing the underdogs? tag but came away victorious thanks to a Kenny Mills? goal in the second period of extra-time that took the wind out of Trojans? sails ? and extended their jinx at a venue that seems to have their number when it comes to cup competitions.

?To some degree I think that tag worked in our favour. But sometimes in the face of adversity people respond, and I think the team on the night were determined not to lose. They wanted it more,? Wade said.

?I just told them to trust in themselves and trust in the preparation they had done with Kyle (Lightbourne). So from that standpoint it was a tremendous performance by the players.

?I was really just the facilitator because Kyle has done good work with the team, and I think it?s starting to show.?

In what ultimately panned out to be another classic battle between two old rivals, Wade said he wasn?t convinced Zebras would win until Mills netted the winner in the closing minutes of extra-time.

?It wasn?t that type of game . . . it was just another one of those classic Somerset versus PHC encounters. I didn?t realise we could win this match until we had scored as late as we did. And at that point I thought we could defend it,? he added.

?It was that kind of game where both teams had chances and momentum at one point or another. And looking at the players? faces before the game went in overtime I thought there was something left in them.?

As cramp began to take its toll on players towards the end, it was Zebras who seemed to have a slight physical edge over a spent Trojans side who virtually stood frozen as Mills wriggled his way to goal.

?I think experience also played a role,? said Wade. ?But was I really focused on the game plan Kyle had laid out and the work he had already done with the team. Basically it was his preparation and format that I tried to continue.

?The team were faced with some adversities with quite a few injuries to the point where we only had three players on the bench and players unavailable. And there was a bit of pressure on me, but it didn?t really worry me that much.

?I was merely asked by Kyle to take the team in his absence and I was more than willing to do that as a club man.?

It was Wade who coached Zebras to the 2002-03 Martonmere Cup final which they eventually lost 2-1 in overtime to Devonshire Colts at their own jinx field, Wellington Oval.

Asked how he felt about the achievement, a modest Wade replied: ?It?s really not about me anymore. I basically took a step back from coaching at senior level and only took on this task at the request of Kyle.

?So it?s really not about me, I was more happy the team were able to deliver on the night.?

Already speculation is mounting coach Lightbourne could include himself on the Zebras team sheet for the November 11 final, leaving Wade to take full responsibility on the sidelines.

However, Wade refuses to get caught up in the hype.

?I wouldn?t want to speculate on where Kyle?s mind is because he was very much involved in that victory as well,? he said. ?We talked about the make-up of the team and what the tactics would be on Monday. And really I don?t think my influence was that great.

?I?m just here as the interim coach just filling in. And the crux of the matter is that it?s Kyle?s team.?

Zebras now await the winner of tonight?s second Martonmere Cup semi-final between cup holders Dandy Town and 2001-02 champions Devonshire Cougars at Somerset Cricket Club.

Tonight?s Town/Cougars clash will be preceded by the second Women?s Konica Cup semi-final involving Lady Rams and Somerset Hurricanes.

Goals either side of the half from Carrie Kenneth and Ashley Wall earned eight-time defending champions Lady Cougars a 2-0 win over St.George?s in the first semi-final at the Den on Tuesday night.