Holders ready for final rematch

HOLDERS Gateshead are only too aware of the threat Guernsey pose to their EH Trophy defence on Sunday.

The two sides met in the final of the hockey competition last season, which the north-east club edged 2-1, and will lock horns once again in the quarter-finals of this edition at Footes Lane on Sunday.

The visitors go into the match in good form as they are currently second in the North Hockey Men's League and thrashed Didsbury 8-2 in the previous round of the Trophy, but captain Jervis Fleming emphasised that they hold Guernsey in high esteem.

'We are going into the game with a good level of confidence, however we believe this is the hardest draw we could have got in the Trophy,' he said.

'From playing in the final last year we know that Guernsey are a very good side.'