Saltus Grammar School’s Senior football team were beaten by Ashbury 8-7 on penalty kicks in the Division Two final of the Canadian Independent Schools National Football Tournament at the weekend in Ontario.Now, according to Jon Beard who travelled with the team, there is huge interest in bringing the competition to Bermuda in the near future and with it a possible 360 visiting players and 40 coaches.Saltus were competing in the Canadian tournament for the first time and were tested by a gruelling schedule which saw them play six games in three days.In the final, the youngsters stumbled to a 1-1 draw after extra-time in a game that they should have comfortably won. The resulting penalty shoot-out proved to be a nerve-racking experience for both teams as, after 18 penalties, Ashbury were crowned Division Two champions.Saltus got off to a flying start when Torrae Wainwright’s long kick forward in the first minute caused confusion in the Ashbury defence and Fabio Pacheco was on hand to drive the ball across the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.The early fireworks continued as Saltus began to set up a squatter camp around the Ashbury penalty area, but by the fourth minute the score was 1-1 as Ashbury equalised after poor defending by Saltus allowed a dangerous ball to be fired across their area before the ball was converted. That was Ashbury’s first serious attack of the match and they had very few after that with Ashton Bell, marshalling the defence, never allowing the opposing strikers space inside the penalty area.No further goals were scored in regulation and time and an extra 20 minutes still couldn’t determine a winner. Saltus’ influential midfielder Jonas Buelow was withdrawn early with a sprained ankle as leaden legs and injuries began to take their toll. .But Saltus had their chances and when Mark Godfrey was fouled chasing a loose ball just inside the edge of the area, coach Timmy Figureido must have thought the breakthrough had finally come as the referee pointed to the penalty spot, but Pacheco’s spot kick was blocked by the boot of the goalkeeper after he had been sent the wrong way.In the all-important shoot-out, penalties were scored by Evans, Pewter, Williams, Bell, Godfrey, Swan and Dill as Torrae Wainwright in goal came agonisingly close to saving two of the Ashbury strikes, one of which squeezed under his body.One Saltus miss was followed by an Ashbury strike against the bar. But on the ninth penalty, another Saltus miss allowed Ashbury to net the winner.The first part of the tournament saw teams play in a league format and in their opening game Saltus defeated Lower Canada College (Montreal) 3-1 with Fabio Pacheco scoring two, and Jevon Swan one. That afternoon Saltus took on host school, Ridley College (Ontario), and in a hard-fought game shared the spoils 0-0. Goalkeeper Wainwright was the hero of the hour with a couple of fine saves to keep the scoresheet clean.The next day saw a tough game against Upper Canada College (Toronto). A tired display from the Bermuda team saw UCC run out winners 2-0. This result put Saltus into the consolation round and into an opening game in the afternoon against Stanstead College (Quebec), Saltus ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Liam Evans and Jordan Madeiros.The final day started with the semi-final and Saltus got off to a good start against Greenwood College (Toronto) with a goal from Liam Evans. The Bermuda team dominated and Evans’ second after a run from Jevon Swan sealed a deserved 2-0 victory and a place in the final.