FOOTBALL teams from schools across north Dorset have been battling it out over the last few months in the first ever Girls Davison Cup, culminating in an exciting final.

Some 17 all-girl teams from schools across the county competed to secure a spot in the final four and the successful schools were St Mary the Virgin Primary School, Gillingham, Sherborne Primary, Shaftesbury Primary, and St Andrew’s Primary, Fontmell Magna.

The four teams came together to compete in the semi-finals, and the final, and third place play-off on the same day.

The girls battled hard, displaying excellent ball skills and tackling ability.

Sherborne Primary School

Sherborne Primary edged out St Andrew’s Primary to win a place in the final, with Shaftesbury Primary claiming victory against St Mary’s to secure their final place.

St Mary’s Primary School

St Andrew’s and St Mary’s met in the third place play-off, and in a close fought game, St Mary’s edged through to claim the win and with it, their third-place finish.

In the final, Shaftesbury Primary displayed some amazing footwork, and overcame the spirited Sherborne Primary girls to become the first ever winners of the Girls Davison Cup.

The Davison Cup has been running for 70 years in Dorset and is named after local headteacher Wilfred Davison, who set up the inaugural tournament.

Although technically a mixed-cup, it has been dominated by boys during this time so North Dorset School games organiser Nico Stone, after the success of the Lionesses at last year’s Euros, decided to set up a cup exclusively for girls.

Nico also tracked down Wilfred Davison’s children, with Dennis Davison and Elizabeth Bailey turning up on the day to present the new cup to the Shaftesbury Primary team.

Nico said: “It was a wonderful and very powerful day for girls football in North Dorset, and one that will hopefully take girls’ football from strength to strength in the area.”