THE prize couldn't have been any greater for teams competing in the CIS/Blackburn Rovers Football in the Community festival of football.

For winners of each of the seven age group semi finals will get the chance to play the finals at Ewood Park before a Blackburn Rovers Premiership match.

So it was no wonder that places were at a premium and they were snapped up in record-breaking time. The annual event is no stranger to Ewood Park as previous competitions have been held at the ground.

But a warm summer's day in close season cannot compare to playing in front of a packed house on match day.

With that as an incentive, it was no wonder that teams came from near and far with clubs from all corners of the North West represented.

However, it was local clubs who dominated proceedings with an East Lancs side winning through to five of the seven finals.

A packed out JJB Soccerdome was the venue for the qualifying rounds in a competition that attracted 160 teams, the highest ever entry in the event's six year history.

The Under Sevens section attracted 18 teams split in to three leagues. The three group winners and the best runner-up progressed through to the semi finals.

The first semi final brought Mossley Hill and Accrington Stanley Red and it was the Liverpool side who booked a place at Ewood Park, running out 3-1 winners.

There they will come up against Ossie St Mary's who beat local rivals Ossie Rangers 3-0.

In the Under Eights section, The Farmers JFC booked their place in the final with an exciting 4-3 victory over Holker Old Boys while Darwen side, Akzo, made sure there was local representation by beating Woolton Warriors 2-1.

Great Harwood Tigers did likewise in the Under Nines section and prompty made themselves favourites to win at Ewood with a thumping 5-0 win against Harraby Catholic. Akzo were denied another final spot after being edged out by Buckley Town Vipers, going down 3-2.

In the Under 10s section, Accrington Stanley were guaranteed a place in the final after their Red and Blue teams were paired in the semi final. And it a tense affair, Stanley Blue came out on top, winning 2-1 after extra time.

Stanley will now face Westgate Wanderers who beat Ulverston Rangers 4-1.

Bare Wanderers and Bare Rangers are through to the final of the Under 11s age group.

And the Under 12s final will also be between two sides from outside of the area after Rastrick Juniors and Southfield both triumphed. However, the Under 14s final will be an all local affair thanks to the success of Clitheroe Wolves and Akzo.

Wolves beat Bowerham 4-1 while Akzo went goal crazy against Wyre, running out 10-1 winners.

Mick Brennan from Blackburn Rovers in the Community said the event was a huge success.

"This is the first time we have held the competition at the JJB Soccerdome and I can't praise them highly enough.

"We've been running this competition for six years now but this is by far the biggest number of teams we have had.

"The facilities at the JJB Soccerdome meant we could accommodate more teams but I think the prospect of playing at Ewood Park on match day also had something to do with it."

A date has yet to be finalised for the cup finals but once they are, it will be a day to remember for all 14 teams involved.