A GOOD-natured six-a-side competition at Malmesbury Victoria Football Club on Saturday had the shine taken off it by a freak injury suffered by first-team player Will Halliwell.

The midfielder had to be stretchered off after falling awkwardly and twisting his knee while playing for Chippenham Sports and Social Club in the first semi-final.

He was taken to Bath's Royal United Hospital for X-rays and although he had no broken bones he was told he had damaged his knee ligaments and will miss the start of Malmesbury's Hellenic League Division One West season.

In Halliwell's absence, the Chippenham team still won through to the final on penalties, where they were subsequently beaten 3-0 by home side Malmesbury A in a subdued encounter.

The tournament organisers had to have a last minute re-shuffle after three of the 16 teams pulled out, but despite the late hiccup, the tournament went ahead and a competitive but sporting event was played out.

The 13 teams were split into two leagues where they played ten-minute matches to qualify for the last eight.

Sherston B and Chippenham Sports contested the first quarter-final with the game finishing 0-0 at full time but it was Chippenham who progressed 6-5 on penalties.

In the second quarter final, Sherston A also went out 5-4 on penalties against the eventual winners Malmesbury A after a goalless draw.

Malmesbury B matched their colleagues' semi-final placing with a 1-0 win over Haydon Wick B, while Malmesbury could not make it a full set, losing 2-1 to Penhill.

In the semi-finals Chippenham Sports, minus Halliwell, dispatched Malmesbury B 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate.

In the second match, Malmesbury A secured their final spot with a 3-0 win against Penhill. The two semi-final winners then went head to head for the trophy and two goals by James Constable plus one from Andy Harris saw the honours go to the Malmesbury team.

Event organiser, Sue Neale, said: "It was our third year running the tournament and it is getting better and better.

"Ten teams took part and there were quite a lot of supporters there. We look forward to holding the competition again next summer."