Over the weekend, Friday and Saturday, Swalings entered the Cool and Smooth Skillball Tournament, hosted By Ghetto City and Generation Next.

Swalings entered:

2 teams in to the Under 7 age group.
4 teams into the Under 9 age group.
1 team in the Under 11 age group.
2 teams in the Under 16 age group.

In the Under 7s, unfortunately, Both teams were knocked out in the first game, Swalings “A” losing on penalties and Swalings “B” losing 10. Both teams showed huge hunger and desire to do well. The Swalings “B” team was made up of 2x4 year olds, 2x5 year olds and one 6 year old, so a very young team showing huge commitment. Special mentions in the Swalings “B” to Kevin Sheppard who showed real fight and determination to win and in Swalings “A” to Zidaane Williams, leading from the back and putting in some big tackles.

The 4 teams in the U9s again showed huge desire, with Swalings “A” being knocked out in the semis on penalties, Swalings “B” and “C” losing on penalties in the first round and Swalings “D” losing 1-0. Special mentions to Captain Micah Barton for the Swalings “A”, putting in a real shift, up and down and making sure all the play came through him. Kyle Cenac in the Swalings “B” was out strutting his stuff, solid tackles as well as showing some flare with drag backs and flicks. In the Swalings “C”, Tayquan Harris, like Kyle and Micha, dictating play and showing some real skill.

Swalings U11 were knocked out in their first game, in an unlucky goal, which took a deflection around our last defender and into the goal. However that didn’t stop the boys down, with some brilliant distribution from the back from Zane Percival, with the referee even coming up to congratulate him on his passing, as well as Kheon Williams, causing havoc for the opposition with turns and passing.

The two teams in the U16s though really showed what the rest of the Swalings teams can achieve with the right determination and fight, with both Swalings “A” AND Swalings “B” making it to the final, making it an all Swalings affair.

Swalings “B” won all their 3 games on penalties. Penalties in all the fixtures, U7s-16 were sudden death. Deniz Gould stepped up invthe first game to calmly put Swalings “B” in the driving seat. In the second game it went to penalty number 6 which Jahmarley James dispatched. In the Semi final, it was Jahmarley James again scoring the second penalty. Swalings “B” were in the final, waiting to see if they would meet Swalings “A” or big DanClick.

Swalings “A” won their first game 1 goal to Nil with literally the last kick of the game, scored by Lloyd Williams. They went onto win the quarter final 3-0, goals from Jamar Peters, sandwiched between 2 from Lloyd Williams. In the semis, it was that man again, Lloyd Williams to snatch a 1-0 lead with 2 minutes left on the clock. A long field chip from Seth Joseph, Lloyd waited for the bounce, saw the outrushing defender, gave it a little reverse chip sending it over the defender and dropping into the goal. The final whistle went, cue Pandemonium from Swalings “B” on the side line, Swalings “A” on the pitch… coach Duncan running around like a headless chicken.

With both teams knowing it was an all Swalings affair coach Duncan was worried that the tempo would drop, he shouldn’t have feared, friends are friends, but on the pitch it’s a game to be won. Tackles flying in, skills on display. However the game was a 0-0 at the final whistle and it was to go down to penalties. Swalings “A” to take first and missed. Swalings “B”; missed, Swalings “A”; missed. Then up steps Swalings “B’s” Captain, Tarik Williams. Goal keeper/defender, with the “A” team thinking they had to get ready to take a next penalty, as Tariks distribution this game had not been at his best, coolly slots it home for Swalings “B” to win.

A special mention to the entire Swalings “B” team for their win, as again, they were punching well above in their age group, 2x13 year olds, 3x14 year olds.

Deniz Gould, Swalings U16 “B” was nominated as tournament MVP for the U16s.

First tournament down for the year. Lots to improve on from all age groups and hopefully lots more trophies to be won.

Swalings coaches and players would like to thank Generation next and Ghetto City for the tournament.

Please check our Facebook page, Swalings Antigua, for more photos of the tournament.