SOME heavy showers – not to mention strong gales – may have postponed the finale, but the Barrow Junior Football League Spring Trophy has brought dozens of young players into action.

Twelve under-sevens teams from 10 clubs stepped out on the 3G pitch at Furness College for the opening round of group games in the second year of the competition.

It is a rare chance for players at the younger end of the junior football spectrum to play competitive matches, with two groups of six battling it our to reach the Cup and Shield competitions.

Sides played eight-minute matches in a round-robin format, with the top three teams in each group progressing to the Cup tournament and the remaining sides to the Shield event.

Vickerstown, Millom Blacks and Furness Cavaliers were the top three sides in the Red Group, with Crooklands Casuals, Holker Old Boys Blacks and Millom Reds advancing from the Blue Group.

Crooklands were the stand-out team in the group games, winning all five of their matches and conceding just one goal in the process.

Vickerstown went unbeaten in the other group, winning three and drawing two of their five encounters to beat Millom Blacks to top spot.

Dalton, Ulverston Rangers, Holker Old Boys Greens, Walney Island Yellows, Furness Rovers and Walney Island Blues are the sides who will contest the Spring Shield when the games are rearranged.