IN the best tradition of Euro 2004, a school football tournament was decided on penalties yesterday afternoon.

Like England's final game in Portugal, the competition at Bishop Auckland College went down to a tense final shoot-out.

Coundon St Joseph's RC Primary held its nerve to beat Oakley Cross, from West Auckland. A team from Escomb was third, with Coundon Primary in fourth place. More than 160 young players turned out for the event which was rearranged after rain drenched the pitches last month.

It was organised through the Wear Valley school sports co-ordinator programme which aims to persuade more children to play and enjoy sport.

Last week many of the same schools played a mini-Wimbledon tournament and there have been athletics competitions and other events involving hundreds of youngsters from most of the primary schools around the district.

St Joseph's head Stefa McManners said: "The children were caught in the rain and were absolutely soaked but they didn't mind a bit. They were thrilled to win and going to penalties made it very exciting."