It took an amazing 26 penalties before St Swithuns, Kennington were crowned Vale of White Horse Primary Schools indoor five-a-side football champions in a dramatic spot-kick shoot-out.

Tension gripped players and spectators at Wantage Leisure Centre as St Swithuns battled out the record-breaking penalty drama with St Edmunds, Abingdon.

The two sides embarked on the shoot-out after the final had ended 2-2, and they were still locked together at 2-2 on penalties after they had both taken five apiece.

It then went to sudden death, but neither side were able to take advantage until the 13th round of spot-kicks.

And it proved unlucky 13 for St Edmunds as Josh Sherlock saved for St Swithuns, before his teammate Sam Matthews kept his nerve to drill home the winning penalty.

St Swithuns spot-kick kings also came through a penalty shoot-out in the semi-finals when they pipped Charlton (Wantage) 4-3 after their clash had finished 2-2, while St Edmunds beat St Nicolas, Abingdon 3-1.

Jill Evans, head teacher at St Swithuns, said this week: "They are still really excited now. I think because it went to penalties it builds up the tension in a competition like that.

"It was really heart-stopping stuff, but we are really pleased with the boys and proud of them."

Vale secretary Malcolm Fretter added: "I have never known a penalty shoot-out of that length. To go to 26 penalties is certainly a record for the Vale."

St Edmunds are in five-a-side action again today when they take on West Kidlington in the semi-finals of the Railtrack/Unipart Under 11 tournament, run by Oxford United, at The Kassam Stadium before the Division 3 match against Swansea .

Headington Middle School, last year's national champions, face St Thomas More School, Kidlington in the first semi at 2.15.