THE organisers have a charity football competition have ended up as winners.

The Hippo Motor Group spent months planning the tournament which was in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

A total of 14 teams from across Lancashire took part in the event which was held at Blackburn’s Soccerdome.

Teams were split in to three groups with the top two in each, plus two ‘bonus spot’ winners qualifying for the quarter finals.

Hippo were drawn in Group A alongside Team Smax from Smackwater Jacks Bar in Burnley, Blackburn-based design agency Media Village and a team from the Lancashire Telegraph. Hippo headed the group with the Lancashire Telegraph in second place.

Media Village claimed one of the bonus spots.

In Group B, Walton Athletic from Preston, Stoneacre Motor Group, +24 Marketing, Latho FC and Rocket Centre battle it out. Rocket Centre finished top with +24 Marketing runners-up and Walton Athletic taking a bonus spot.

Legend Fires, Kode Creations, Jagger Talent, Howdan Marketing and Reedley Brewery were all in Group C.

Reedley Brewery topped the group with Howdan in second place.

In the quarter finals, Hippo beat +24 Marketing on penalties, Reedley Brewery made light work of the Lancashire Telegraph while Walton Athletic and Howdan both made the semi finals.

Walton produced a shock in the first semi final when they defeated Howdan while Hippo narrowly beat Reedley Brewery 2-1.

In the final, Hippo got the better of suprise package Walton Athletic, running out 5-1 winners.

Organiser Antony Anderson said: “We’d like to thank every team that took part and made their donations to the fantastic cause.”