Five of Bedford Hockey Club’s Masters players have just returned from ten days of gruelling hockey in the 2025 European Championships, played in the sweltering heat of Nottingham.
The Championships were for men’s and women’s masters, in the age-groupings of over 55s, to over 60s for the men and over 70s for the women, going up in five-yearly increments.
Mo Wickson and Pam Begg, running out for Scotland’s Women’s Over 60s, missed out on a medal at the final hurdle after finishing 0-0 in the bronze medal play-off against Ireland, and then going 1-0 down in the shoot-out.
Their journey to the bronze play-off had seen them take a 1-0 victory over Wales, and a resounding 4-1 triumph over Germany.
There was a 1-1 draw with Ireland and a goalless draw against the Netherlands, with their only loss in the play-off stages came against England after a 3-1 defeat.
Cora Davies and her Wales Women’s Over 55s, after a good run in the pool stage, lost out to France in their final position match, ending in a creditable sixth spot out of 11 teams.
The play-offs saw wins over Alliance (2-1), Australian Spirits (5-1) and Belgium (5-0). There was also a 1-1 draw with Germany, but losses to England (5-1) and the Netherlands (3-0).
Sally Tippen and the England Over 70s were up for the challenge of competing within the Women’s Over 65s tournament, there being an absence of any other Over 70s national squads to compete against.
They started and finished on a high, with double victories over Belgium Over 65s; 5-0 in their opening match, and 1-0 in the final game of the tournament.
Furthermore, their match against the Netherlands came so close to ending in a 0-0 draw, but the Netherlands Over 65s snatched the win with just five minutes left on the clock.
In other games, they went 3-1 down to Belgium Over 65s, 2-0 against Scotland Over 65s and 5-0 to England Over 65s.
Chris Townson was also in action, playing for the Irish Men’s Over 55s, opening with a 2-2 draw against Scotland, only to go 6-0 down to England in the next match.
A 2-0 victory over Alliance and a 2-0 loss against Australia followed.
The play-off round saw Ireland head into the semi-final, facing their nemesis, England once more. The 12-0 loss took Ireland on to the bronze medal play-off, against Scotland.
Unfortunately, it proved to be the Thistles’ Day, winning 3-0 and seeing Ireland end their championship in fourth place.
Words by Jean Fitch
