ST JOSEPH’S were feeling just Champion after they were crowned top team in Pendle for the second year running.

The Barnoldswick school finished top of the class in a competition that included 22 primary schools across the borough.

Schools had taken part in a series of mini league held over four months with the top teams qualifying for the finals held at Pendle Vale College.

The top eight teams battled it out in the Champions Final while those who finished third and fourth in their respective leagues contested the Cup Final.

The Champions FInal produced a high standard of football with little to separate the eight teams.

That was underlined by the fact that 17 of the 28 games were draws or won by a single goal.

Neil Stewart, Pendle School Games Organiser, was delighted to see such talent on show.

“The results highlighted the competitive spirit in which the competition was played and was definitely one of the best football competitions I have staged,” he said.

“The standard of play was worthy of the final. It was an excellent finish to the Yr5/6 season.

“The quality of play and team-work from St Josephs enabled them to retain the title they won last year.”

However, the Saints were pushed all the way as the top the table, finishing with 31 points, just two ahead of their rivals.

It was even closer in the fight for runners-up spot and in the end it was goals scored the separated Park and Blacko who had both finished on 29 points.

Barrowford were fourth with 25 points while St Michaels and Walverden were joint fifth with 17 points.

Christ Church finished with 13 points and Sacred Heart with seven.

The Cup Final event was contested by the eight teams who finished third and fourth in their respective league and it was Great Marsden St John who emerged triumphant finishing with 31 points.

Barrowford St Thomas pipped Laneshawbridge to second spot after they both clocked up 27 points and had to be split by goals scored. 27 points (decide on goals scored – St Thomas 12 and Salterforth were fourth with 21 point, St John Southworth and Holy Saviour fifth with 18 points with West Street seventh (15pts) and Wheatley Lane eighth (nine pts) Stewart was again impressed by what he saw.

“The standard of football has greatly improved over the last four months,” he said. “This was highlighted by the generally low scores in most games due to teams being well organised and very evenly match.”

Pendle Vale , Park and Fishermore students refereed the competitions, many of whom are now fully qualified football referees having passed the FA course held by School Sport Partnership.

“Well done to all the players, staff and officials involved, they were a credit to themselves and their schools throughout the season,” added Stewart.