Olympic magic aids Magpies' win
An Olympic gold medallist graced centre stage at a veterans' hockey tournament, playing for Harleston Magpies.Robert Clift, who clinched gold with GB at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and former England captain Bill Waugh - both ex-Southgate players - were among dozens who enjoyed the fiercely-contested inaugural Southgate London Masters Hockey Cup at the Trent Park, Oakwood club at the weekend.
An Olympic gold medallist graced centre stage at a veterans' hockey tournament, playing for Harleston Magpies.
Robert Clift, who clinched gold with GB at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and former England captain Bill Waugh - both
ex-Southgate players - were among dozens who enjoyed the fiercely-contested inaugural Southgate London Masters Hockey Cup at the Trent Park, Oakwood club at the weekend.
Harleston Magpies came out on top, fending off challenges from second-placed Belgium side Leuven and third-placed Rome outfit Ultima Legio.
The contest went to the wire, with the Magpies needing to secure points from the final match of the weekend to surpass Leuven's points tally.
After a tense first half against one of two Southgate Hockey Club teams, Southgate Jesters, which ended 1-1, they ran away with it in the second half winning 5-1 to claim the gold medals and cup.
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Blessed with glorious weather, the first in a series of three competitions - aimed at exploiting the opportunity presented by the London 2012 Olympics to raise the profile of hockey and sport in general - was enjoyed by all.
Tournament organiser Joe Manero said: 'The tournament was an overwhelming success.
'The standard of hockey played was extremely high and everyone also enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, barbecues and live music provided in the evenings.
'We couldn't have hoped for a better start to our three-year series and now look forward with confidence to next year's tournament, which will coincide with the club's 125th anniversary, and the 2012 Olympic year tournament.'
He thanked Middlesex University for allowing teams to stay in accommodation at their Trent Park campus.
Ros Marsh, chairman of
England Hockey Masters Development Committee was there on Saturday and complimented Southgate for taking on this initiative to promote Masters hockey in London.
The three-day competition, for men aged 40-55, started on Friday. The other teams taking part were Southgate Pirates - which Waugh played for - and Bra HC, from north-west Italy.
