Game 6 was the mouth-watering prospect of France versus Spain as Luminy Wolves met Equipo A. Both had 100% records and only goal difference separated the teams at the Group A summit. As you would expect with most top of the table clashes the first half proved incredibly tight. With defences on top, half-time arrived and we were level at 0-0.

When the breakthrough came it was Byllel Ben Khalifa who scored the vital goal. 1-0 became 2-0 through Byllel Ben Khalifa again and with that the win was secure. Luminy Wolves maintained their 100% record whilst Equipo A still had work to do.

The team closest to Equipo A was San Torrei Stags. A win in their next game would see them go level with the Spanish on 6 points and keep their chances of Cup qualification alive. They would play Smack My Pitch Up who were looking for their first goals and first points of the tournament. At half time there were still no goals for Smack My Pitch Up to celebrate but they were level at 0-0. A result which did not really suit either team.

In the second half the goals flowed but still the teams could not be separated. Nathan Anderson scored the first of the day for Smack My Pitch Up…and the second. His goals were cancelled out by Richard Birch and Ian Storer who had now scored in 3 consecutive games. Final score, a well-earned 2-2 draw.

Shallow Hals next game was against Equipo A as they looked to leapfrog Smack My Pitch Up into 4th. Equipo A on the other hand were looking to join Luminy Wolves on 9 points and guarantee Cup qualification. The latter option never looked in doubt though from the moment Marc Cheucos put Equipo A ahead. Albert Marx made it 2-0, Cheucos again for 3-0, Miguel Soles bagged 4 and 5 before Eloi Marin Girona made it 6-0.

You may have thought it was the end but it was only half-time! The tide was stemmed in the second half although Marc Cheucos went on to claim his hat-trick and crown a 7-0 victory. The Cup Quarter-Finals awaited Equipo A. For Shallow Hals there was one group game left to make their mark in Group A.

Luminy Wolves final fixture was against San Torrei Stags. Only a heavy defeat would prevent them winning the group. San Torrei Stags were already assured of Plate qualification regardless of this result and had a great opportunity to spring a surprise with no pressure on them at all. The game went generally with the formbook as Luminy Wolves led 3-1 at the break but as the scoreline suggests the French did not have it all their own way - Ian Storer of San Torrei Stags scoring for the 4th game in a row.

In the second half honours were even as Allan Gosselin (Luminy Wolves) and Jonathan Kirby (San Torrei Stags) each scored meaning the final score would read 4-2. A commendable performance from San Torrei Stags but Luminy Wolves march on. For the record, the French scorers in the first half were Aikel Ben Khalifa (2) and Sid-Ahmed Bourriche.

Group A would be wrapped up with Smack My Pitch Up versus Shallow Hals. The game had a lot riding on it – both teams were looking for their first win and both were looking to make the Plate. Smack My Pitch Up only had to avoid defeat courtesy of their draw against the San Torrei Stags. Shallow Hals had to win!

The first goal was always likely to be crucial and it was Shiva Tiwari of Smack My Pitch Up who claimed it. He bagged a second and when Nathan Anderson made it 3-0 at half-time the writing was on the wall for Shallow Hals who would now need at least 4 goals. There was a fat lady gargling pitch-side.

She began singing though when Tiwari completed his hat-trick, Terry Beattie and Marc Scott hit Shallow Hals for six. Every cloud has a silver lining and though and that came in the form of Shallow Hals breaking their scoring duck – stand up Thomas Munson – take a bow. Final score, 6-1.