Winchester Under-18s weathered a first-half storm to beat Norwich 5-2 and seal a place in the May 10 English Hockey Association Boys Cup final.

Ben Hibbard and Simon King each scored twice as Winchester set up a cup final showdown with Leek/Beeston at the Old Loughtonians ground, Chingford, North London.

The margin of Winchester's semi-final victory was flattering - but there's no doubt the city youngsters deserved their success after being under the cosh for the opening half-hour. The tie was turned on its head with a double Winchester strike either side of half-time.

Norwich had asked all the questions, pinning Winchester in their own half for long periods of the first half, forcing numerous short corners. But agile Peter Symonds College goalkeeper Greg Hitchens pulled off a string of fine saves and his heroics eventually settled a Winchester side whose ragged early play bordered on frantic.

Winchester managed only spasmodic raids but minutes before half-time they snatched only their third penalty corner of the game - Norwich had forced 12 by then - and capitalised. Norwich's largely untroubled goalkeeper, Tom Hedgewood, beat out Greg Cox's drag-flick and Hibbard pounced to drill Winchester into a surprise interval lead.

Two minutes into the second-half, the Norwich defence was prised open again - Chris Walters racing 50 yards down the right flank to set up Simon King for Winchester's second goal.

Winchester were now in control with their senior players calling the tune in key positions. When Hibbard seized on a mid-hit clearance to score a third, a place in the final was all but secure. Hitchens foiled Norwich again before Walters added a fourth.

Cox got himself sin-binned before the skilful Ed Fox, arguably the East Anglians' best player, clawed two goals back for Norwich.

But, back to full numerical strength, Winchester added a fifth before the final whistle, Charlie Swann surging forward to set up King.

Winchester face Southampton at King's School on Friday for a place in the Hampshire Under-18 Cup final against Havant at HMS Temeraire on Monday.