Devon and Cornwall Men’s Over 60s B and C side hockey teams met at Okehampton College on a recent Sunday (December 5) for an action-packed game in Round 2 of the England Hockey Cup.

The men, including 78-year-old and ex-England Masters player Paddy Maher, played on the college’s astropitch and carried out exciting tackles, fierce goalies and long-reaching shots.

Charlie Lane, who watched the match, said: ’You’d never think men of that age could move so fast. Some of the players are in their seventies and others have played for England.’

B side dominated the first half with clever midfield play and exciting flurries down the right wing but they were met with sound defence by the C side. Moments before half-time, C side’s Gary Adams, aged 75, scored a goal ending the first half with a score of 1-0.

After half-time, C side dominated the midfield. Notable successive driving runs by Bob Whitell down the inside right channel were rewarded by a second goal.

Jon Avery scored twice for B side in the final quarter and as the final whistle blew it was 2-2.

To determine the winner a round of plenty flicks was played, but after the first round of five it was still a draw and ’sudden death’ was declared. B side then scored the first goal and the game ended 3-2.