Ten eager Year 5/6 footballers set off on a short walk to SVC on Thursday morning to take part in our second football tournament in just six days. Spirits were high, legs were still fresh, and the team were excited about another chance to put their skills to the test.

Our first game threw us straight into the deep end, facing eventual finalists Trumpington. They came out fast, moved the ball well, and showed exactly why they went so far in the competition. Despite our best efforts and some determined defending, they proved the stronger side on the day and ran out 4–0 winners.

We then faced Histon Brook A, and for long spells we were the better side. We controlled possession, created chances, and looked the more likely to score. But football can be cruel: two quick goals against the run of play put us on the back foot, and despite several near-misses from our strikers, we couldn’t find a way back, losing 2–0.

Next came another huge challenge: Pendragon, who would go on to win the entire tournament. We started brilliantly, with Ben firing us into an early lead, and we could easily have doubled it with the chances that followed. In the end, though, a late and unfortunate own goal meant we had to settle for a 1–1 draw, despite a performance full of grit and quality.

Our final group game was against an enthusiastic Pathfinder side. They struck first, but Ben responded almost instantly (equalising within ten seconds) before smashing home another to put us 2–1 up. Sadly, another own goal levelled things again. From there, we threw everything at them: we hit the crossbar, struck the post, and forced their goalkeeper into several outstanding saves. Somehow, the winner wouldn’t come, and the match finished 2–2.

That left us with a playoff against Histon Brook B, and the boys were determined to finish on a high. They came flying out of the blocks, racing into a 4–0 lead by half-time thanks to a Henry strike and a superb Ben hat-trick. The second half was much tighter, with Histon Brook B pulling one back, but Henry sealed the victory with a fierce finish to make it 5–1.

It was another excellent showing from Swavesey. Despite an extremely tough group packed with strong opponents, the boys never gave up, kept fighting, and represented themselves and the school brilliantly – eventually finishing in 7^th place overall.

Well done, lads!

Mr O'Neill