Blackburn and Darwen School Games

On Tuesday the 1st April 2014 St Bedes RC Sports College hosted the Blackburn with Darwen Year 5&6 Girls Football Competition.

 

This year the competition consisted of 15 Schools from across the borough. Schools were split into 3 groups of 5 and played the other teams in their group, with the top team from each group going through along with one lucky loser from across all three groups.

 

Group 1 consisted of Audley, Avondale, Shadsworth, St Antony’s and Wensley Fold. Group 2 was St Cuthbert’s, Longshaw, Lower Darwen, Meadowhead and St Thomas’. And finally in group 3 was Cedars, Feniscowles, Lammack, St Francis and The Redeemer. The standard on display was excellent, and in group one St Antony’s progressed with 10 points. In group 2 St Cuthbert’s produced a barnstorming performance to win all of their games and top their group comfortably. In group 3 The Redeemer also finished with 10 points to see them qualify for the semi-finals.

 

The “Lucky Loser” went to Lower Darwen, but only after some nail biting drama. Both Lower Darwen and Feniscowles finished on 9 points, exactly the same goal difference and exactly the same goals scored. So it was down to a penalty shoot-out, unfortunately there could only be one winner and Lower Darwen took the spoils and advanced to the semi-finals.

 

So the semi-finals were between St Antony’s and Lower Darwen and St Cuthbert’s faced The Redeemer. A last minute equaliser from Lower Darwen sent the 1st semi-final into another penalty shoot-out. In keeping with a game of high standards the shoot-out went to ‘sudden death’ and Lower Darwen missed their first penalty which meant St Antony’s had to score to make the final. The St Antony’s player kept her nerve and slotted the penalty home. Lower Darwen can be proud of their achievements as they won the 3rd place play off 3-0 claiming the bronze medals.

 

The second semi-final was a little simpler with The Redeemer claiming a very tight game 1-0 edging out a very strong St Cuthbert’s team, who should be pleased with their 4th place.

 

So the final was St Antony’s versus The Redeemer. Both teams started the final quite edgy but grew as the game went on. It looked like the match would be heading for another penalty shoot-out. That was until 2 quick fire goals in the final 3 minutes saw The Redeemer win the game 2-0 and claiming this year’s trophy. The Redeemer will now go onto the Lancashire Youth Games to represent Blackburn with Darwen on the 1st July.

 

"It was great to see a record number of Schools at this year’s competition. I would like to thank St Bede’s for hosting the event and to Brenna Mcpartlan, Katie Samuels and Ebony Stinson from St Bede’s for refereeing all of the games. All three St Bede’s pupils are members of Blackburn Rovers Girls Academy and did an excellent job on the night. I wish The Redeemer the best of luck as they progress to the county finals in July, I’m sure they will do the Borough proud." Andrew Mercer School Games Organiser.