The Rochford Sports Council's annual festival of sport has been a sunshine success so far.

Many thousands of competitors and spectators have turned up at the St John Fisher Ground in Rayleigh over the last two weekends to enjoy exciting, if rather warm, soccer action.

Record entries on the football front have seen 290 junior and 226 senior games played for a total of 516 matches and the finals in all competitions go ahead at King George's Playing Fields, Rayleigh, on Saturday from 12 noon.

Saturday's junior action centred on the under-7s and 8s six-a-sides. Both were playing for the Somersfield Shield and Elmwood Colts made both finals.

In the under-7s, Elmwood won 3-1 against Great Wakering in the semi-finals to set up a final clash with Hawkwell Athletic, 1-0 winners over Little Basildon Colts. Final will be staged at 2.30pm on Saturday.

The under-8s saw Elmwood A beat Shoebury Boys 2-1 in the quarter-finals, while Elmwood's B side lost 4-0 to Berry Boys. Leigh Rockets went down 3-0 to Ashingdon Boys and the battle of the two teams from Canvey's Northwick ended in a 1-0 win for the B team over the A side.

In the semi-finals, Elmwood beat Berry 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 scoreline following extra-time. Ashingdon beat Northwick B 1-0. Kick-off final time is 2.50pm.

Afternoon action was on the senior side for the Open B John Ralph Cup. London visitors Broadwater, who beat Aspect Sports 3-1 in the semis, will take on White Ensign A in the final (12.50pm).

Ensign beat Rayleigh Avenue 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 extra-time draw.

Senior Football on Sunday started with the Open C for the Mobil Cup. White Ensign again made the final, which kicks-off at 12.50pm, on penalties, 3-2 after a 3-3 extra-time draw with Oakwood A. Oakwood B won the other semi, 3-1 over South Benfleet.

Southend, who beat Old Southendian 3-0, and Chelmsford A, 4-2 winners over Colchester, meet in the ladies final for the Joyce Murison Shield (4pm).

Bell Sports, who saw off White Ensign 3-1, and Rochford Town, 6-0 victors against D and A Sports, contest the Rochford Trophy soccer competition for the Southend Sports Centre Cup. It kicks out at 12.25pm.

In the veterans competition for the Bill Pickup Trophy, Leigh Ramblers beat Rayleigh Trinity 2-1. Mill Sports triumphed over Basildon Irish by a similar scoreline and final kick-off time will be 1.15pm.

Sizing up the opposition - this Hawkwell Athletic (red and black) youngster might have had trouble finding a shirt to fit him, but his team mates proved too good for Little Basildon Colts and qualified for next Saturday's under-7 final

Pictures: LUAN MARSHALL

Doubles delight for Lorraine and Sue

The Rochford Festival of Sport badminton competition saw Lorraine Norris and Sue Crompton win the ladies' doubles with a 15-12, 15-10 success over Pam Tatum and Julie Gowen.

The men's doubles were won by John Marshall and Chi-Sing-Cheung. They had a 15-7, 15-10 victory against Garry Gilby and James Raven.

The festival swimming gala took the from of a Rochford and District Swimming Club inter-club team event which Blue Bombers won from Green Gremlins with Red Devils third.

Major action tomorrow centres on the inter-schools festival at Sweyne Park, Rayleigh, from 2pm and the darts finals, which go ahead at 7pm at Cupids Country Club, Great Wakering.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.