Over 100 teams attended the Diamond Cup, with a weekend full of football action this weekend.
A rainy Saturday saw the Under 7's play a non-competitive mini-league between Weekley Rovers Hurricanes, Stratford Town, Harrold & Carlton and Rushden & Diamonds, with the aim of encouraging fair play amongst younger age groups.
In the competitive tournaments at Under 9 level Rushden & Diamonds and Histon made it through to the final, from a group, which included Rotherham United, Sawtry Colts, KC Cougars, Weekley Rovers and Finedon Victoria. The Blue Square Premier rivals managed a thrilling draw in the final, which culminated in a penalty shootout, with Histon losing out after a great competition.
At Under 11 level Priory Parkside from Cambridgeshire won the final against Rushden & Diamonds whilst new team Stanground Boyz from Peterborough won the under 13s competition.
On a much sunnier Sunday the Under 8's played a non-competitive mini-league between Rushden Rangers, Raunds Tigers, Doddinghurst Olympic, Harrold & Carlton A and B, Weekley Rovers Wizards, Weekley Rovers Juventus, Rushden & Diamonds and Bromham.
At Under 10's 4 group stages were played, which then produced the four quarter-finals - Doddinghurst Olympic versus Rotherham United A, Milton Colts versus Harrold & Carlton, Earls Barton versus Rotherham United B and finally Rushden & Diamonds versus Lakeford.
Both Rotherham sides went through to the semi finals, with Rushden & Diamonds and Milton their opponents, The Millers were however both knocked out, with the Diamonds and Milton seeing out a goalless final, with the R&DFC goalkeeper proving to be the hero on the day in the penalty shootout.
The Under 12's competition saw an all Rushden final between Rushden & Diamonds Blues and Rushden & Diamonds Whites, with Boston A and Boston B the two unsuccessful semi-finalists.
We'd like to thank all of the players, parents, staff, referees and volunteers who helped make the Diamond Cup VIII such a great tournament.
Photographs from the tournament will be available to buy from www.snapimages.co.uk team photos are already up, with action shots going on over the next few days too.
The R&DFC Whites Under 12's team
Blue Square Premier rivals Histon entered teams across a number of age groups
Under 10 runners up Milton
Under 11 winners Priory Parkside
