Babcock Marine Primary Mixed 6-a-side festival 2008
Thursday June 5th & Friday June 6th at University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

• Results & final group tables

The seventh Primary Schools Mixed Hockey Festival - organised by the Plymouth Hockey Development Group and sponsored by Babcock Marine, UCP Marjon Sport & Leisure and Tony Pryce Sports - is hailed as the best yet by PHDG chairman Jamie Oxley.

A record breaking 56 teams from Plymouth primarys - as well as guest teams from East Cornwall and West Devon - ensured over 500 players took part in the action-packed two day event held at UCP Marjon.

A team of 14 volunteers and 32 young leaders and umpires from city schools ensured the festival ran smoothly while University of Exeter's England Under 21 international Matt Woods and senior Wales international Ben Edge ran mini-coaching sessions.

Nigel Rowe (MBE) of Babcock Marine praised PHDG for organising such a fantastic event. Rowe said “Babcock are delighted to be the main sponsor of this event which gets better year on year. This year I was especially impressed by the high level of umpiring displayed by the young umpires alongside the exceptional skills of the players.”

Oxley said: "Woods and Edge were fantastic role models for the game, coaching over 500 players over the two days. The young players really enjoyed the 20-minute sessions run during the morning group games.

"The level of play throughout the festival was the highest yet since the festival was first run in 2002. Stiff competition during the morning group stages on both days led to the knock out phase which produced some sparkling skills for spectators.

"This year the event was fortunate to have the support of Devon Umpires president Paddy Porter and former national league umpire Julia Gill both present to coach the group of promising umpires. For the second year the young umpires officiated all the games including the final which proved a major success."

Simon Fenwick, schools and community development officer and coach for PHDG was over the moon with the event's success. Fenwick said: “It was the best yet, the feed back from the players and staff was outstanding - which is especially pleasing for everyone involved. The standard of play was certainly the highest with the support from Woods and Edge and all the volunteers the reason why the event is now regarded as the best primary schools sporting event in the city.”

This years OPM Cup proved the most competitive yet. Langley Juniors and Mary Deans progressed from Thursday into the Friday semi finals. Langley took on unbeaten Meavy in what proved to be a close fought game with Meavy winning 1-0. In the other semi final Salisbury Road defeated Mary Deans 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering final.

In an entertaining end to end final Meavy beat Salisbury Road 2-1. Meavy recorded their first OPM Cup title with Salisbury Road improving on last year's third place finishing as worthy runners up. In the third place play off Langley A defeated local rivals Mary Deans 1-0. Boys Player of the tournament– Ross Glibbery (Salisbury Road) girl Player of the Tournament – Hannah Smith (Meavy).

In the Mixed Hockey Shield, Woodfield edged past Victoria Road 1-0 in the semis. In the second semi final St Andrews defeated city rivals St Peters 2-0. Woodfield put on a fine final display, winning 4-1 to secure the Mixed Hockey shield for the first time. In the third place play off Victoria Road defeated St Peters 3-0. Shield Players of the tournament were Jordan Ruth (Woodfield) and Mia Lawrence (St Andrews).

In the PGSOB Plate semis, Mount Street beat Laira Green B 2-0 while Widey Court edged past Highfield on penalties. In the final Mount Street beat Widey Court 3-2. Laira Green B clinched third place following a 3-2 penalty win over Highfield. Tino Mwadey and Ellie Whitehall (both Mount Street) were Plate players of the festival.

The new Hooked on Hockey Junior Skills Challenge gave every pupil a chance to complete five skills. The top individual and team scorers were rewarded with medals.

Individual skills challenge winners: Boys 1 Bradley (St Martins), 2 Javier Salcile (Holbeton), joint 3 Adam Woodyear (Holbeton), Mark Arnold (St Martins). Girls 1 Molly Walsh (Dobwalls), 2 Jamie Lee (Old Priory), 3 Georgia Donnelly (Kelly Prep).

Team: 1 St Martins, 2 Holbeton, 3 Meavy.

PHDG would like to thank lead sponsors Babcock Marine, Tony Pryce Sports, TK Hockey and UCP Marjon Sport & Leisure along with Kelly College – certificate sponsors, RedRok and the Devon Umpires Association.

The final thank you goes to the volunteers from all the city hockey clubs, UCP Marjon and all the young umpires from local schools who made the event such a huge success.

Young umpire of the year was awarded to Jevon Rimmer by Devon Umpires president Paddy Porter.

Fair Play Award – Ermington Primary School and Compton C of E.

Umpires from Plymstock, Ivybridge, Sir John Hunt, Eggbuckland, DHS for Boys, Saltash, St Bonifaces, Stoke Damerel, Plymouth High for Girls & Heles.