RUSKIN School's six-a-side tournament went the distance.

A part of the primary school's summer fete, the tournament kicked off at 1.30pm and eventually finished at 8pm.

Some 10 teams took part in the event Eldene, Catherine Wayte, Lainesmead, Drove, Goddard Park, Noremarsh, Sevenfields, Grange, Nythe and the hosts and was only open to pupils in years 3, 4 and 5.

That gave teachers an early opportunity to watch players stepping up to the year 6 school team next year and handed younger pupils the rare chance of competition.

In the qualifying rounds, Ruskin A won Group A with Eldene A the runners-up.

In Group B, Catherine Wayte won all four games to head the group, with Sevenfields A in runners-up spot.

Group C saw Grange go unbeaten in their four matches, with Noremarsh A second, and in Group D Lainesmead A, winners of the tournament last year, came out on top from Drove A.

In the quarter-finals, Ruskin A and Sevenfields A went to penalties following a 0-0 draw.

After a tense shoot-out which went to six penalties, Ruskin went through to meet Grange, who defeated Drove in their quarter final.

Catherine Wayte A beat Eldene A and went on to play Lainesmead, who disposed of Noremarsh A in the other last-eight match.

In an end-to-end semi-final, Grange took an early lead against Ruskin A.

Grange then added a second before Ryan Baxter replied for Ruskin with a chip from 15 yards.

Grange held out to the final whistle to go through to the final to meet Lainesmead A, who drew with the much-fancied Catherine Wayte A team and dispatched them on penalties.

Lainesmead were obviously looking for a second successive victory, but the Grange team had other ideas.

Grange, with just that little bit more cutting edge, managed to score halfway through and held out to take the trophy 1-0.

Tournament director Nick Taylor commended all players on their efforts and sportsmanship and paid particular praise to the very high standard of goalkeeping.

As well as the winners and runners-up, the losing semi-finalists all received a certificate and medal.

Darren Jefferies of Grange was awarded the most valuable player of the tournament award.

RUSKIN'S A and B teams finished first and second respectively at the Nythe School Fete six-a-side tournament over the weekend. Hosts Nythe were third.