Whalley Range became the first side to retain the Summer Cancer Relief cup.

Now in its sixth year the tournament again attracted teams from around the North West. But it was the Preston challange that proved the strongest.

Nile, Santos, Fishwick Rangers and Canaries all comfortably progressed to the quarter-finals stage. Nile looked a good bet but went out to eventual champions Whalley Range on penalties. Whalley Range then featured in what turned out to be the game of the tournament.

Santos are the undisputed seven-a-side kings having won this tournament and Prestons Abdul Valli cup on a total of four occasions. They went ahead and once there they normally stay in front but they hadnt counted on a goalkeeper playing up front.

Fayaz Bharucha was kicked out of the nets with the return of Mohammed Khan.

So he did what most people would do - he found himself another position. His goal with seconds on the clock put the game into extra-time and then to penalties. Bharucha then went in nets to save two shots to put Whalley Range in the final.

The two Ali's helped Preston's Canaries quietly about their business and they despatched, Trotters, a well organised Coppice of Oldham and semi-final specialists AC Milham. The final though proved a step too far. Despite a make-shift defence Whalley Range were on fire by then and looked unstoppable.

In the Under 18s Real Darwen eventually got the winner in extra-time against Blackburns Global United. Both the under 14s and under 12s titles went to preston sides, Fishwick Rangers and Moor nook Tigers.

And a hat-trick by Jack Warren gave Accrington Stanley White's the cup against their rivals Huncoat United. in the final.

Naveed Sharif of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said, "We are very happy to support such a positive event, with so may young people.

"Events like this promote community cohesion, and also enable young people to interact on such a wide scale - It was excellent to see such sportsmanship and diversity at the event."

For the record

The Summer Cancer Relief Tournament has raised over £10,000 for charity Christies Against Cancer since 2000. The Tournament is held in memory of Mohammed Feroze Butt by Javed Feroze and Family with help from the local community.

SENIORS

Winners: Whalley Range; Runners-up: Canaries

Past winners: Whalley Range (2004); Santos (2003); Blackburn United (2002); Baba Zamans (2001) and Deepdale (2000)

Under 18s: Winners: Real Darwen; Runners-up:Global United

Under 14s: Winners: Fishwick United; Runners-up: Britannia Predators

Player of the tournament: Naeem Patel

Under 12s: Winners: Moor Nook Tigers; Runners-up: Blacburn United

Player of the tournament: Lewis Whitesman

Under 10s: Winners: Accrington White; Runners-up: Huncoat United

Player of the tournament: Jack Warren

Top scorers: Whalley Range: 13

Meanest defence: Fishwick Rangers and Santos: 1

Best goal: Asif Ali (Canaries) vs AC Milham

Strangest name:

AC Milham Rejects

Total teams: 67

Big thanks to: All the volunteers who heped on the day and Ray Booth, Mohammed Matadar, Asif Patel; Asif Hussain; Tasleem Afzal; Hanif Mogra; Susan Hargreaves; Claire Henderson.

Sponsored and supported by: Blackburn with Darwen Workforce Development Team, Lancashir Fire and Rescue Service, Lower Audley Tyres; Asian Image; Select Medical, Blackburn with Darwen Community Events Unit; The Blackburn Community League