Welcome to the JESS Dad's 5-a-side Football Tournament: 28th March 2008

Round-robin

Group One: Two teams stood out in the opening games. JESS Academicals produced some stylish football - completely out of character for the tournament and totally unnecesary when playing against a bunch of old wannabes! But style they had, with Coulson rolling back the years holding it all togethe rand the goals flowed as they topped the group. Foundation 1Y were not far behind, as they fielded 'teenage Dads' who terriorised the walking-stick defenders. Bothe teams seemed destined to meet again in the final ..... The Old Jessies and 4G Force battled hard but had to settle for the minor palces. 4G struggled to test the keepers as they went goalless. Old Jessies got better as the playedtournament went on but a handicap of 10 years seemed too much for them. Dad's Army couldn't handle such youth and their failure to find the net condemned them to the Wooden Spoon play-off.

Group Two: Three teams contested for the top spot, whilst the Falcons and Fries found the sun and pace just too much. Falcons last game win saw them survive and sent the Fries into the Spoon play-off. Bartram's Big Boys started well but seemed to wilt in the unmericful heat and humidity and had to regroup for the quarters. Foundation 2G looked solid only losing out to their green rivals. 1Green topped the group, but there was only the odd goal in it throughout the afternoon in this group.

Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoonists were glad they only had one more game to play, as legs gave out, their own kids had seen enough and wives had moved to oggle at the thighs of the young 'uns. Nevertheless it was their moment in the spotlight and teams did not disappoint, scoring 7 goals between them, though Dad's Army lost out as the Fries served up some hot goals, to avoid the Wooden Spoon.

Quarters

Similtaneous quarters created a great atmosphere as the knock-out round began and it was not long before reputations were left in tatters and admist the shaking heads and lots of long looks and comments about what should have been - funny old game. Group winners JESS Academicals eased through looking like champions elect as did 1Green as 4G Force fell away. Foundation 1Y were stunned as Bartam's Big Boys turned them over to secure a semi-final place. Foundation 2Green fancied their chances but the Old Jessies had something left in their tank - to everyone's surprise themselves included!

Semi-finals

A surprising semi-final line-up saw hot favourites JESS Academicals take on the Old Jessies - surely a game too far for them. Big Boys took on 1Green in the other semis, which was too close to call after 0 - 0 draw in the group stages. Bartram's Big Boys were suffering as they played the semis, aching legs leading to frequent subbing, whilst the assured 1 Green team looked ready and more than willing. So it turned out as the greens found the net and the Big Boys just did not have enough left to respond. Greens march on to the final.

JESS Academicals looked relaxed in their day-glow tops, confidence ouzing through the team after already beating the Old Jessies 3-0 in the group stage. With the top scorer in the midst JESS Academicals the Old Jessie in goal would be busy - and so it turned out as Woody used every part of his body to deflect their efforts high and wide. But Jessies failed to read the script as they defended well, in desperation at times to be fair, not that they cared as they carved out a chance and a scored a goal to stun the Academicals and the crowd. Desperation set in for the Academicals but it was all too late as the Old Jessies found strength and energy to march into the final.

Final

Old Jessies a step to far? The quarters were a step too far, so was the semi but they hadn't read the script or their birth certificates so anything could happen. 1Green meanwhile looked quietly confident, their captain determined that this would be their day. And then .... the Old Jessies scored and then they scored another, all be it a fluke, before the crowd realised what was up the zimmer framers had notched 3 goals and the Green's one goal hardly mattered. The shock was complete, the Old Jessies had scored 3 goals in one match the final at that and were crowned JESS Dads Champions - its true we were there! In the end experience shone through and the wise eight men marched off into the Jumeirah sunset - of course if they weren't so old we'd have carried them on our shoulders but we didn't want them having a funny turn after all their exertions.

They can look forward to defending their crown after the summer ... and another year wiser who would bet against them?