Organisers of the Wanganui Athletic Junior Football Tournament at the weekend are satisfied their event was a success despite the challenging weather on the day.
Thirty teams took to the fields on Sunday to contest trophies in Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 16 grades.
Severe winds and heavy rain dominated Wembley Park throughout the day, even gusting to gale-force at times. Spells of torrential rain and brief hailstorms added to the mix, but it didn't deter the huge number of players, officials and supporters that turned out for the popular event.
Teams attended from clubs and schools from around the region, having travelled from as far afield as Hunterville, Hawera, Ashhurst, Kapiti, Wellington and Hokowhitu (Palmerston North).
Ultimately the weather caused an early finish to the tournament, but not before some outstanding football was played. The Under 9 Grade teams were able to see their games completed, with Wellington's Western Suburbs taking out the top trophy they had been gunning for. Other grades have found their winners through points tallies, but the Under 13 Grade will be hotly-contested when Athletic Wolverines meet WIS Yellow at a yet-to-be-announced date to play out their semi-final. The winner of that round will travel to Paraparaumu to play Kapiti Coast United in the final match, on their home turf.