Best match ever' says redundant ref Ray

DUNCOW VAGRANTS and the University of the West of England were involved in one of the best local matches of all-time in the early stages of this year's Easter Hockey Festival. Duncow won 3-2 to secure a place in the semi-final play-offs of the men's competition.

'It was a special match,' said umpire Ray Bushell. 'I think it's the best match I've umpired in Guernsey.

'The standard of hockey was very high, but they enjoyed it, too. I didn't have to blow the whistle much; I just let them get on with it.'

The 12 men's teams competing this weekend are divided into two groups. The top two from each group went into the knockout semi-finals.

In the last four Duncow and the University of the West of England were joined by Shoot First Drink Later, a team led by Guernseyman Adie Peacegood, and Sporadics.

The five-team women's competition was all but tied up yesterday morning by Hampstead.

Bushell said that the sparkling new hockey clubhouse at Foote's Lane had 'made a big difference' to the tournament. He added that several of the visiting sides were very impressed with the island's newest sporting facility.

Richard Forster, captain of touring MPL, backed up Bushell.

'The clubhouse is fantastic,' he said. 'It's a really, really good set-up. I think it's better than anything on the mainland.'

MPL were forced to leave the festival earlier than expected yesterday after a change in tidal conditions.

'We came over on two yachts from Southampton and unfortunately the tides dictated that we had to bring forward our leaving time,' said Forster.

'It's a bit of a shame because we missed the big do on Sunday night.'

The Easter Hockey Festival is traditionally a huge party as much as a competitive sports event, but it was generally agreed that the standard of play had been high this year.