As the inevitable march of hockey super clubs continues in the county, it was really heart warming to see 5 of the oldest clubs in Kent come together for a Masters game.
On a sunny Sunday lunchtime, Burnt Ash, Bexleyheath & Belvedere, Gravesham & Wellcome all battled a wind that would have been at home in Texas AND Bromley & Beckenham HC too.
And now I am clearly all acronym’d out.
This was hockey of the purest sort, not full court press, 3 man box, tackling channels or clearing the boards hockey. Pure hockey, played by people who started their love of the game in the region of 40 years ago, when a tomahawk was a literal weapon rather than a metaphorical one.
And it was joyous, good old fashioned fun hockey, played in a decent spirit by two teams who actually DO know better.
The result wasn’t really important, but as we won let’s just focus on that for a sec. Two calm finishes by Cawsey were enough to see us into round 2, away at Doncaster.
The play was excellent, the ball was controlled as were the tempers, it reminded me why we all love this game so much.
Thanks to Tim for organising us, to Martin Talbot for running the bench with superb skill and timing and to both umpires, Steve Course for us and the travelling umpire too.