SIX boys' teams (Covingham, Colebrook, Grange, St Catherines, Nythe, Ruskin) took part in the Stratton Primary Schools annual five-a-side tournament.

Defending champions Nythe found the going tough, and despite trying hard, bowed out of the qualifying stage without a point. Colebrook and St Catherines battled for fourth place, with Swan scoring several vital goals to see St Catherines through to the semi stage.

Grange, already cup semi-finalists in the Swindon Primary Schools' League, cruised into the semis unbeaten, with Darren Jefferies leading the scoring, though both Covingham and Ruskin pushed them hard in their qualifying matches.

Covingham qualified third with nine points from their five matches. Zac Whitlock was particularly impressive.

Ruskin qualified second with 12 points, yet had not really clicked into top gear, with Swindon Schools' forward Nathan Lee netting seven goals.

A one-sided semi-final saw Grange demolish St Catherines 3-0 to set up a final against Ruskin, who came through a close contest with Covingham in the other semi, going through 3-2 on penalties.

The final between Grange and Ruskin was a highly charged encounter with both goalkeepers being kept busy. George Hughes slipped a pass through to Nathan Lee to score the only goal.

In the girls' tournament, one player dominated the qualifying stages Abbie Picton of Covingham. The Southampton FC Academy player scored 15 goals in helping Covingham top the qualifying group unbeaten.

Ruskin A and Liden tied for second place, both on 10 points, with Ash (Liden) and Isha Hunt (Ruskin A) scoring valuable goals.

The fourth qualifying place was contested between St Catherines and Ruskin B, with Ruskin B going through on goal difference.

Nythe, despite trying hard, picked up the wooden spoon, with no points and no goals. The first semi-final saw Covingham march on, with an emphatic 5-0 victory against a demoralised Ruskin B, with Picton (3) and Michaela Vitale (2) scoring. Liden progressed to the final, beating Ruskin A 3-1, with Swindon Town Ladies player Ash hitting a hat trick. Amy Bailey replied for Ruskin A.

In the final, a closely fought encounter ensued, with Covingham hanging on to an earlier goal by Vitale to defeat Liden 1-0.