Shefford Stars 5-a-side football team, representing Shefford Lower School, went to Woodlands Middle School in Flitwick, to take part in the first Tesco's Computers for Schools Tournament. The team, managed by Appy Appadoo and Mark Dilley, consisted of Ben Appadoo, Sam Bishop, Matthew Clark, Adam Dilley, Graeme Dilley Dominic Smith, Ben Wheeler and Matthew Winch.
The day started well, with the sun visible through the clouds. Shefford Stars took on many schools from Mid-Beds, beating them all convincingly, without letting in a goal.
As the day wore on the weather worsened. The Stars played on, through heavy rain and freezing cold winds to win the quarter final with a 1-0 victory
Despite the hail and strong winds during the semi-final the team went to the final with another 1-0 win.
The final against Flitwick Lower School ended in a 0-0 draw, even `golden goals' extra time failed to produce a score in this closely matched final. By this time the weather was unbearable, hard hailstones thrashed against the players legs while the game went into a nailbiting penalty shoot-out where Shefford conceded their first and only goal of the tournament. They went on to win the game 3-1. Shefford won the tournament and received computer vouchers and a trophy for the school. Their victory made getting soaked to the skin and freezing cold worthwhile.
Congratulations to the players and their management on their great success, everyone is very proud of them. Thank you very much to the parents of the players who came to support the team and cheered them on to victory despite the terrible weather.




Emma Appadoo (age 14)