ST GABRIEL’S are the latest team to have their name engraved on the famous Jubilee Shield after winning a thrilling final against St Francis in a match worthy of the old competition.

In a battle of the Saints, it was St Gabriel’s who narrowly beat the champions of 2011 and 2012 as they emerged as 3-2 winners at St Bede’s RC High School.

Schools from across the town have been contesting the Jubilee Shield since 1934 when it was presented to the Blackburn Primary Schools Sports Association by J.W. Turner ESQ to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary.

St Bartholomew’s were the first winners of the trophy beating Park Road School at Griffin Park.

Fast forward 81 years and there was a record 32 schools taking part in the competition.

Finals night included 12 teams who had progressed from two qualifying rounds that had been held earlier.

Schools were split into three groups of four with the table toppers progressing to the knockout stages along with the best placed runners-up team.

Group One consisted of Feniscowles, Longshaw, St Peter’s RC and Salesbury. And it was St Peter’s, last year’s runners-up, who topped the group thanks to two wins and a draw. Feniscowles finished as runners up on six points.

Lower Darwen, Holy Souls, St Francis and Roe Lee battled it out for honours in Group Two.

St Francis, who have enjoyed great success in the competition in recent years, dominated the group, winning all three games with Lower Darwen finishing as runners-up thanks to two wins.

St Gabriel’s, St James’ Lower Darwen, The Redeemer and Daisyfield contested Group Three. St Gabriel’s underline their championship credentials as they topped the group with a 100 per cent record while Daisyfield finished as runners-up.

St Peter’s, St Francis and St Gabriel’s all progressed to the semi-finals along with Feniscowles who went through as ‘lucky losers’ but only just.

Fenny finished on the same points and goal difference as Lower Darwen and Daisyfield but squeezed through on account of scoring more goals. St Gabriel’s, who finished third last year, got the chance to go at least one better when they beat 2013 runners-up Feniscowles 3-2 in an entertaining clash.

It was a lot cagier in the second semi final as St Francis edged out St Peter’s with the only goal of the game.

St Peter’s then took on Feniscowles in the 3rd/4th play-off which the Saints won 2-1.

The final turned out to be another entertaining end-to-end encounter.

St Gabriel’s took an early lead and, following some sustained St Francis pressure, doubled their advantage with a breakaway goal. St Francis hit back to make it 2-1 to set up a tense final few minutes - only for St Gabriel’s to grab a decisive third goal in the final minute.

There was still time for St Francis’ to score again but it was a mere consolation.

St Gabriel’s will now represent Blackburn in the Lancashire Schools FA finals in Skelmersdale in the New Year.

“I would like to congratulate all of the teams involved and thank the teachers and coaches involved for their hard work,” said Andrew Mercer School Games Organiser “It is great that this competition continues to thrive some 80 years after its introduction.”

“I would also like to thank St Bede’s for allowing us to use their superb facilities and to Young Volunteers from St Bede’s who gave up their time to referee all of the games.”