MORE than 300 Year Five and Six pupils from across Wiltshire competed at the county football finals last week.

In the small schools' event, Chippenham's St Peters defeated Holt 1-0 in the final.

Having been narrowly beaten in the girls final last year, Trowbridge-based Bellefield School lost out again, this time 1-0 to Sarum St Pauls.

The large schools produced a close competition, the semi-final between Minety and Aleoric being decided on a penalty shoot with Minety going on to be defeated 2-0 in the final by The Mead.

Tony Williams, secretary of the Wiltshire Schools FA and co-organiser of the event, said: “I was impressed with the positive approach by all the players both on and off the pitch. The behaviour and attitude was excellent.”

Referees from PULSE Academy officiated supported by the team from Wiltshire FA.

The three winning schools will now represent Wiltshire in the South West finals later this year.

Meanwhile, the girls basketball competition provided a thrilling start to the Secondary School Games programme.

Held for the sixth year at St Johns, Marlborough, the hosts along with Bradon Forest and John Bentley were tied on points at the end of the tournament.

Having each won three and lost one match, the result was ultimately decided on baskets scored with first-time qualifiers John Bentley emerging as the winners.

The match between St Johns and John Bentley set the tone for the close competition.

All square at full time after scoring just two baskets each, it took 13 attempts before John Bentley won on golden basket.

Bradon Forest had the advantage leading in to the final game against St Johns, just needing a win to be champions but a narrow defeat saw them finish as runners up with St Johns coming third.

Special mention should be given to St Edmunds who turned up to compete despite a depleted squad.

Martin Cook, a member of the senior management team at St Johns, presented the medals.