DESPITE many nursing hangovers from the previous night's presentation evening, Beesands recovered enough over the next 48 hours to retain the 'Once Upon A Time In The Westcountry' trophy.

Organised by Beesands player Paddy Wellens and his support team, the competition, all in aid of charity, attracted teams from Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Brighton and London.

The first day saw the eight teams split into two groups of four, each game being played over two halves of 20 minutes each.

Beesands topped their group with wins over Dodos 1-0 (Lee Morgan), Yard Boys 3-0 (Simon Hannaford 2 and Morgan) and Wrong Side Of The Tamar 8-0 (Hannaford 2, Morgan 2, T J Lang, Jack Ballinger and 'keeper Carl Hoare 2).

Hoare's second goal was probably the goal of the tournament, meeting a corner full on the volley and acrobatically over his shoulder, sending it rocketing into the top corner of the net from around about the penalty spot.

Day two saw Beesands face Battersea Cosmos in the semi-final.

Despite a host of missed chances, including Dave Hodgson's penalty being saved, second-half goals by Dan Bowles and a 25 yard free-kick from Josh Pascoe saw them safely through to the final, 2-0.

With the organisers making sure everyone got value for their entry fee, there then followed seventh and eighth, fifth and sixth and third and fourth place play-offs.

Beesands started the final the better, taking an eighth-minute lead when Morgan raced clear to drill the ball home straight between the 'keeper's legs.

Opponents Brandon were then awarded a dubious penalty, but Hoare pulled off a superb save.

Minutes later, a foul on Ballinger saw Beesands rewarded with a penalty of their own, but Lang's spot-kick was equally well saved by the Brandon's 'keeper.

Beesands tightened up the midfield, replacing Hodgson and D J Foale with Bowles and Mike Dennis.

Although Brandon looked dangerous on the counter-attack, only more good saves by their 'keeper prevented Beesands making the scoreline more comfortable, with a 1-0 scoreline eventually being enough.

Over the five games played, Beesands scored 15 excellently executed goals but, more importantly, kept five clean sheets, due to Hoare, Dennis, Pascoe, Sean Raymont, Dave Harvey and Tim Bromfield defending solidly.