THERE was a big turnout for the 16th Beacon Hill Junior Football Club’s annual five and six-a-side tournament over the weekend

The big kick-off was performed by Haslemere Mayor Malcolm Carter, assisted by enthusiastic club member Alfred Sabourn, on the klaxon as each game commenced.

Teams from U7s-U13s played more than 300 matches on seven pitches on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the clubs playing were teams from Grayshott, Liphook, Chiddingfold and Milford and East Hampshire.

Wet weather on Saturday afternoon did nothing to dampen the spirits and spectators and players alike were able to enjoy not only some thrilling play, but also a bouncy castle, speed gun, delicious home-baked cakes, silent auction and raffle prizes, burgers and ice cream.

For the first time, there were all-girl matches with 120 female players participating. The winners came from Churt Satellites. Beacon HIll Diamonds were close runners-up in the Girls U9/10 and Sutton United in the U11s.

Churt had another win with their U11 boys, and the hosts won the Boys U11s and took both runners-up places.

Beacon Hill also triumphed in both U10s and U13s with Farnham Town and Bourne Blades coming runners-up respectively

Other worthy winners included Junior Shots Blades and Headley Vipers in the U12s with Petersfield Town Tornados and Badshot Lea Cavaliers in second place respectively. Fernhurst had a double win in the U9 boys’ competition.

Organisers Simon Cox, Cheryl Greenfield-Sabourn, Dan O’Boyle, Sharon McWilliams and Alex Gowing thanked the army of willing parent volunteers, trusty referees and hopeful coaches, who supported the two days’ play.