THE popular annual Lowestoft Referees' Association seven-a-side tournament was held for the first time at the home of Kirkley and Pakefield FC, Walmer Road, on Sunday.

THE popular annual Lowestoft Referees' Association seven-a-side tournament was held for the first time at the home of Kirkley and Pakefield FC, Walmer Road, on Sunday.

The 29th annual tournament, which had been rescheduled due to the World Cup, was hailed a success.

However, there were a smaller number of entries received this year of 37 sides in attendance from the normal 48, due to teams being involved in previously arranged pre-season friendlies and holiday commitments.

But this allowed new teams to enter that had previously been unable to, given the tournament has always been oversubscribed.

'The influx of new teams from outside of the Lowestoft area, gave a new outlook on the tournament as the quality of new teams were unknown to many,' organiser Barry Ereira said.

All groups were contested in the right spirit of the game and the day saw some excellent football being played.

After the group stages, the action moved into the quarter finals with Arches losing 3-0 on penalties to Punch 2010, Waveney Gunners beating Scotts Builders 1-0, The Frankers beat Mizshaped Monkees 3-1 after penalties and Gorleston United reached the semis accounting for MG Builders 1-0.

In the semi finals Waveney Gunners beat Punch 2010 4-3 on penalties and Gorleston United scored a dramatic late winner to overcome The Frankers 1-0.

Gorleston United were then crowned overall winners in their first referees tournament, as they received the coveted trophy after conquering Waveney Gunners 2-1 in a very entertaining final played in the right spirit.

The Dennis Meadows Award (previously the Silver Salver Award) was contested by Royal Oak and Team Evans, with Royal Oak running out the winners, after the match finished goalless, the resultant penalty shoot-out ended with a 3-0 win to the Oak.

Organiser Barry Ereira said: 'I would like to thank Kirkley & Pakefield CSSC for the use of all of their facilities, Mervyn Durrant for his kind assistance, Premier Brickwork for the loan of their generator, Harrods for the use (again) of their Marquee, all of the helpers, Ross Reader, Stephanie, Denise, Pat, Jon, David Salmon - brilliant job - the superb referees and with special thanks to Simon for the endless hours given up to ensure the tournament took place.

'Not forgetting, centre manageress Amanda Harris, who came out on her evening off on Friday, to solve the missing key problem!'

Finally, sincere thanks to Brighty School Of Motoring, who kindly sponsored the event.