Despite playing in a tournament for Under 10s against teams a year older, the youngsters made light of the age barrier to win through and claim the Powerleague Summer Football Tournament honours.

Playing on the tighter confines of the Peterborough Road astro turf seemed to suit the Junior Alliance Under 9 champions whose speed and tenacity was a feature of their play throughout the event.

After overcoming their stablemates, Powerleague Under 10s, in the semi-final, the Under 9s then took on Riverside B who had beaten Peterborough City A in the other semi.

And after a thrilling match which ended 2-2 after normal time, the young guns managed to hold their nerve during the penalty shoot-out to capture the cup.

Tournament organiser Keith Denham said: "Powerleague Under 9s were a real revelation and they seemed to thrive on the astro turf.

"Most of these summer tournaments are held on grass so all the teams enjoyed the chance to play on another surface but the Under 9s seemed to enjoy it the most.

"They were hard-working and tenacious throughout and were deserved winners in the end.

"But all the teams played some cracking football which made the tournament a really enjoyable spectacle and I would like to thank them all for that.

"I would also like to thank our sponsors Escape Fitness who made the event happen and hopefully we can do it all again next year."

Sawtry Colts, Coates, Northborough, Riverside Rangers, Peterborough City, Powerleague Under 9s and 10s, Parkside and Whittlesey Red all took part in the event.

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Related: Junior Alliance league line-ups for 2008/09 season.

Under 8s are ordered not to be competitive.