HOCKEY: THE annual North Wilts hockey festival saw 200 primary school children take part in a day full of sporting fun.

The event, held on Sunday, was organised by North Wiltshire District Council and saw the gold, silver and bronze awarded to Chippenham schools.

A number of schools competed for the first time, after receiving some coaching from Chippenham Hockey Club junior coaches Dave Miflin and Neil Stewart. Despite the heavy rain, the festival was played to a high standard based on both individual and team performance.

The high standard saw the level of individual and team performances improve once again. The group stages went down to the wire, with the last games of each of the three groups deciding who would win through to the semi finals.

The semi-final between St Paul's and Monkton Park went down to the golden goal rule and finally, after a further 15 minutes, Monkton Park scored the winner taking them through to the final. Despite the rain the four teams, St Mary's A, Redlands A, St Paul's A and Monkton Park played hard for one last game and the tired Monkton Park fought valiantly in the final against the champions, St Mary's.

Yet again the game went down to the wire, with St Mary's retaining their crown with a 1-0 win. Steve Silk, North Wiltshire District Council's sports development officer, said: "Well done to everyone who took part in the day. Yet again hockey has been the winner. The hope is that children who have been involved in the day will now stay playing hockey and continue taking part in sport and a healthy lifestyle".

The four semi-finalists will now go on to the County Youth Games in July when they will compete for north Wiltshire against schools from the rest of the county.