Futsal Winners Impressive Display in The Mountbattten SSP Futsal \'97

Before the February Half Term break Mountbatten School Sports Partnership hosted their annual North and South Futsal Competition for pupils born in 1997. The competition was held in 2 venues spanning 3 nights. This years competition things were a little different, as due to the snow at the beginning of the year the North competition didn't take place. Despite this set back the South competition went ahead as planned, involving teams from Mountbatten, Romsey and Test Valley schools within the SSP.

South Competition

With 3 hugely competitive teams playing in the South competition the standard of play did not disappoint, with the format of the Futsal game adding to the excitement and skill level of the event. The competition was run by the Mountbatten SSP's Competitions Manager and the chosen format was a round robin. The 1^st match was between the hosts Mountbatten and they were up against their near neighbours and great rivals Romsey. As expected the game was a tight affair in the 1^st half with both not giving a inch, however the 2^nd half proved rather one-sided, with Mountbatten cruising to the final whistle and coming out 6 - 2 winners.

The 2^nd match in the competition proved to be a closer contest, with Romsey facing up to Test Valley in a very hard fought but quality game of Futsal! The final result demonstrated the equal ability of the 2 teams with Test Valley taking the spoils 5 - 4!

That left the 3^rd game in the competition to be played out by the 2 remaining teams, Mountbatten and Test Valley, both boasting a win over Romsey. This game proved to be a cracker with neither side really getting away until the final stages. Mountbatten came through in the end 5 - 2 but the score line didn't truly reflect the game play as Test Valley offered really resistance!

The Finals

On Thursday 11^th Feb the Futsal final was played, and both Mountbatten and Test Valley having qualified they were up against John Hanson, the only remaining team from the North event.

The final began with John Hanson taking on the runners up from the South, Test Valley. This game was a fantastic opener for the final and proved to be a very tight contest. John Hanson were on the wrong end of a 3 - 1 loss but came out with great credit, as all of their players were year 7's! The middle game of the 3 on the day was between the conqueres of John Hanson, Test Valley against the team that beat them in the previous qualifier, Test Valley. Again, this game did not disappoint in terms of skilful and fully committed play! After the teams were locked at 3 - 3 and seemingly heading for a draw, Test Valley came up with a winner in the dying moments with Mountbatten crestfallen!

This all meant that the final game of the competition would decide who took home the 2^nd and 3^rd medals, with the destination of the cup already decided. It was all set up for a battling confrontation and so it proved! Both teams were not willing to surrender advantage with chances few and far between as the goalkeepers having blinders, making save after save! When the whistle went it was honours even, the game finishing 1 - 1. That meant that the final places had to be decided on goal difference, with Mountbatten taking 2^nd by 1 goal!

This years winners and taking home gold medals and the 2010 Futsal 97' trophy were Test Valley, well done to them! Mountbatten finishing a close 2^nd and picking up the silver, with John Hanson walking away with bronze.

As the competition Manager for the partnership I would like to congratulate not only every team on their effort in producing some quality Futsal but also our referees Jack Morgan and Ollie Jordan for their help during both competitions. Well done to all and see you in next years competition!