There was a taste of Mediterranean Masters hockey for the first of two post lockdown Guildford 50+ Veterans summer tournaments, which took place at the end of May.
The themed Tournoi Sur Mer at Guildford HC hosted over 180 veterans – 95 per cent of whom were double-vaccinated – representing 12 teams (All Stars, Bagpussies, Epsom, Exiles, Fleet, GHC, Haslemere, H&W Shovellers, Old Georgians’ Phoenix, Satellites, Windsor, and Vansittarts).
Some players had travelled from afar (well, Wales and Yorkshire) and a high standard of hockey resulted in two very competitive leagues culminating in Satellites and Hampstead narrowly beating Old Georgians and Haslemere respectively in the semi-finals.
In the final, Hampstead’s Shovellers proved too strong for the exhausted Satellites in a closely fought contest.
Hosts Guildford were leading until a little ‘vocal enthusiasm’ in their last game, while the Umpires’ Fair Play Award went to AllStars.
The weather remained kind in the 60+ tournament the following day, and as well as 10 men’s sides, there were three ladies vets sides (Blubirds, Gladrags and Pam’s People). The Trojans side emerged the winners.
Throughout the weekend alternative activities were organised – volleyball, cake eating, sun bathing and Covid compliant musical chairs.
A Guildford spokesperson said: “As the teams sat under umbrellas enjoying Dave Hall’s hospitality, the chat was of cancelled foreign tournaments and of just how fortunate those of us with functioning knees, hips and ligaments are to be able to still run around on a hockey pitch. We look forward to the next one on June 26.”
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