THE Horrabridge Football Twinning annual football tournament went ahead at Fillace Park Horrabridge on Saturday.
This year, after competitor feedback, the event changed from a six-a-side to five-a-side for the first time with 16 teams taking part and they were divided into two groups.
Group A consisted of local based teams, Horrabridge I, Horrabridge 'Suns', Crapstone and Ordulph Arms, joined by Morley I, Cheryl Burdett Photography, Elburton and Staddiscombe B while in group B were Plympton Legion, Morley II, Fishermen, Aces, and local teams Horrabridge Young Guns, Horrabridge II, Walkampton and Grub Up from Tavistock.
With only two groups of eight it meant that all teams were assured of entering the knockout stages of either the Champions Cup or the Supplementary Cup.
Group matches were almost all fairly even although Young Guns (twice) Walkampton , and Ordulph scored three goals to earn an extra point and Plympton Legion netted five in one match.
Cheryl Burdett Photography claimed top spot in group 'A' followed by Horrabridge I, Elburton , and Crapstone to progress into the Champions Cup while Staddy 'B' , Morley I , Ordulph and Horrabridge 'Suns' filled the Supplementary Cup places.
In Group 'B' Aces were on top and were joined in the Champions Cup by Legion, Morley II , and Fishermen, while Young Guns , Walkampton, Grub Up , and Horrabridge II made up the remaining Supplementary Cup places.
Champion Cup quarter finals saw Cheryl Burdett 'net' twice against the Fishermen without reply while Morley scraped through against Horrabridge I 5-4 on penalties. Legion edged out Elburton 2-1 and Aces triumphed 2-0 over Crapstone.
In the Supplementary Cup saw Staddiscombe B ease through 3-1 against Horrabridge I, Morley had a close call against Grub Up just going through 3-2 despite a superb display by Scott Dent. Walkampton saw off Ordulph 2-0 and in the Horrabridge derby the Young Guns saw off their elder 'Suns' 2-1.
Champions semis were both close with a single goal deciding both matches, Cheryl Burdett beat Morley II and Legion just got the better of Aces.
The Supplementary semis ended with Staddy 'B' and Walkampton progressing to the final at the expense of Morley I and Young Guns respectively.
In the champions final after a tight encounter and excellent football played by both teams it was Cheryl Burdett who, marshalled at the back by the experienced Darren Orchard and captain Gary Whatmore, scored a late winner to claim the Champions Cup.
Walkhampton won the Supplementary final beating Staddiscombe B 2-1.
Organiser Cliff Mitchelmore thanked referees, Barry Jackson, Martin Leonard, Dave Harding, Simon Mann , Andy Quin, and Sandy Compton and tournament sponsors, Colebrook Chippy Plympton, Tavistock Plant Hire, The London Inn Horrabridge and Bidders Butchers Yelverton.