TWO teams of Consett youngsters distinguished themselves in a national football tournament, despite not bringing home any silverware.

Blackfyne Juniors under-14s won the regional heats of the National Association of Clubs for Young People (NACYP) five-a-side competition. They competed last weekend at the finals in the JJB Soccerdrome, Pride Park, Derby, where they played against 12 teams from across England, Wales and Scotland.

They were knocked out in the semi-finals.

It is the second national contest the club has played in this year. The under-14s and under-15s took part in the NACYP national finals of the championships in Blackpool. The older boys, managed by Kevin O'Rourke, made it to the final of the knock-out contest, but were beaten by a team from Hill of Beith in Scotland.

The under-14s, managed by Barry Nichol, also narrowly lost out, to a side from Ireland.

Mr O'Rourke said: "Both teams were magnificent in what was a fierce but fairly fought contest.

"They were playing against slightly older boys, who made the most of their physical advantage, but the lads stood their ground. They did us proud."