BOLTON, Bury and District Football League side Walshaw Sports Club won an inaugural inter-league competition against sides from the East Lancashire Football Alliance.

Called the North West Champions League, it featured 18 under-15s teams predominantly from the two leagues with games taking place at Accrington and Rossendale College over six weeks.

Teams were split into two pools of nine, drawn into sub groups of three, and every evening three teams played two games of 40 minutes in a round-robin format with the side that topped the group progressing to the next round.

If games finished in a draw they were decided by a penalty shootout.

Walshaw beat Padiham Saints 7-1 in the final with a flurry of late goals.

BBDFL chairman Gary Russell said of the competition, which also featured teams from the North Bury League and the Accrington District League: "Having an inter-league has been part of our league's agenda.

"We had previously run a smaller version with the ELFA a few years ago but the cost of facilities and time to place it in the season meant it became difficult to sustain.

"It has provided our teams with an opportunity to play more games against different opposition, and our league are already looking forward to being involved in the competition next season."

Walshaw u15s manager Garry Johnston said: "Winning the tournament has capped a successful year for our lads, who have won the league, cup and Lancashire Cup.

"The tournament has been fantastic and the facilities at the college are some of the best in the region, we couldn’t be happier with how it has gone."

Organisers plan to stage the competition again next season."