at Darwen Leisure Centre

AKZO Nobel under 11s proved they were no flash in the pan as they successfully defended their crown in the Blackburn and Darwen five-a-side indoor championships.

The all conquering under 11s team were the only side in the competition to regain their title at a thrilling grand finals night at Darwen Leisure Centre.

The evening was the culmination of a week of qualifying rounds which were held at venues across Blackburn and Darwen, including Audley Sport Centre and Shadsworth Leisure Centre.

A total of 90 clubs took part in the popular annual event which has now been running since 1983.

And for the first time ever no final was decided on the dramatic but heart breaking penalty shoot-outs.

However, like last year, the majority of the five finals played on the night where settled by the odd goal.

Akzo Nobel under 11s made sure they etched their name in the competition's history. They became one of the few teams to successfully hold on to their title thanks to a hard-fought victory against St Bennett's, where they eventually ran out 2-1 winners.

That completed a 'double' for the club as earlier Akzo Nobel also won the under nines section beating Clitheroe Wolves 4-1 - the biggest victory of the night.

While St Bennett's tasted defeat in the under 11s final, they soon had something to cheer about after the under 13s team ran out 3-0 winners against Knuzden Youth. But it was a lot closer in the under 15s final where a single goal decided the final with Park Lane Rangers beating Langho Juniors 1-0.

In the senior competition, Old Toll Bar are edging nearer to winning it but not this year.

After having two sides knocked out in last year's semi finals, the Blackburn side eventually made it through to the final.

Toll Bar booked their final place with a 3-0 win against Blackburn Eagles. In the other semi final - the only semi finals to be played on the night - New Gardeners beat Corning Communications 2-1.

That set up a final that turned out to be one of the most entertaining as New Gardeners won a five-goal thriller 3-2.

No doubt Rovers legend Ronnie Clayton would have been impressed by what he saw as he was there to present the trophies.

Event organiser Steve Lee of Blackburn and Darwen Council's events office, said: "Yet again the event proved to be a huge success. More than 500 youngsters took part in the event which gave them something to aim for during last week's half term when the qualifying rounds were played.

"The event was played in the right spirit and it ran like clockwork. And for the first time ever we did not have to deal with a final being decided on the dreaded penalty shoot-out."

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