AROUND 300 Year Five and Six pupils from across the county made the trip to Chippenham to represent their cluster in the Wiltshire and Swindon School Games football county finals last week.

Winsley looked strong from the outset in the small schools event, comfortably winning all of their pool games and were the eventual winners after beating Hilperton in the final.

The girls and large schools competitions proved to be much closer.

Five Lanes held their nerve, winning the large schools final on a penalty shoot-out against Shaw Ridge.

Grange Junior School could not get past a very strong Bishops Canning team in normal time of the girls' final, but eventually won on penalties.

Wiltshire Schools FA president Adrian Riddiford said “It was an excellent day of football despite the weather. Well done to all the participating schools, it was good to see so many youngsters enjoying themselves."

Referees from Swindon Town Football in the Community, Wiltshire FA and Active Trowbridge did an excellent job of officiating supported by volunteers.

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

Meanwhile, Swindon schools dominated the finals of the basketball competitions that were also held.

Bradon Forest and Commonweal proved too strong for the opposition, winning the girls and boys finals respectively.

Bradon Forest got to off to a great start in the girls' event, remaining unbeaten through all of their games.

St John's finished as runners-up, with St Augustine's taking the bronze medal.

The boys' event was much closer, with four teams still in the running for medals going into the final game.

Commonweal eventually edged out St Augustine's to remain unbeaten and be crowned champions, while there was a three-way tie for second place so the medals were decided on points scored.

Bishop Wordsworth took silver ahead of St Augustine's, with John Bentley unlucky to miss out on a medal in fourth.

The winning schools will go on to represent Wiltshire in the regional finals.

For more information about Wiltshire School Games, contact Alma Borthwick avia alma@wiltssport.org.