HUNCOAT Primary School left it late to be crowned Hyndburn Year Three and Four champions.

With a penalty shoot-out looming in a tense final against St Marys Oswaldtwistle ‘B’, Huncoat grabbed a last-gasp winner to clinch the title.

The tournament was held at Accrington Academy where a total of 18 schools took part who were split in to four groups - the winners of each progressing to the semi finals.

In Group A, Green Haworth finished top of the table ahead of St Bartholomew’s ‘A’, All Saints ‘B’, Benjamin Hargreaves and St John’s Great Harwood.

Huncoat progressed to the last four after winning Group B at the expense of St Bartholomew’s ‘B’, St Anne & St Joseph’s ‘A’ and Moorend.

Group C was won by Baxenden which also included St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle A, St Anne & St Joseph’s ‘B’ and St Mary’s Clayton.

And Group D, eventual runners-up St Marys Oswaldtwistle ‘B’ progressed at the expense of All Saints ‘A’, Peel Park, St Paul’s and St John St Augustine.

In the first semi-final, Huncoat narrowly beat Green Haworth 1-0, while St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle ‘B’ were in top form as they ran out comeprehensive 6-0 winners against Baxenden.

The final was a game of few chances as both defences were on top. But with the final set to be decided by a dreaded penalty shoot-out, Huncoat took their last chance to beat the Saints 1-0.

In the third and fourth place play-off, Green Haworth beat Baxenden 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.