AROUND 90 children and adults braved baking hot conditions to take part in the annual summer tournament hosted by Tynedale Hockey Club.

They took part in two seven-a-side side hockey competitions; one for parents or back to hockey players and children in year 8 or below, the other for team players and juniors in year 11 or below.

There were several parents picking up a hockey stick for the first time in their lives, and others who hadn’t played for 20 years or more.

They were enthusiastically coached by their children, and congratulated or berated in the matches depending on their performance.

Henry Wilkie-Smith made an excellent attacking partnership with Sophie Thornton – despite the height difference between them of much more than a foot.

The determination of Michael Wilde in defence once sent young Ben Hindmarch to the floor, causing him to wish he was using the goalkeeping protection he normally wears.

As a result of the event, the club hoped to have recruited a few more members for the women’s back to hockey group, and maybe could even start a group for men.

The shield, for parents and back to hockey players, was won for the second year running by the team captained by James Youngman, a talented player who frustrated many of the opposition attacks with his timely tackling and caused consternation in the opposition defence whenever he went forward.

Lucy Stith and Olivia Bell combined well in attack each providing the other with perfect passes which led to goals. Martha Andersen’s determined link play in midfield and Megan Coldwell’s speed and skill made the Blue team an unbeatable unit.

The adults in the team were Hilary Coldwell, Niki McNichol and Vicky Bell.

The runners-up were the Black team which included two debutant dads, Keith Gibbard and Henry Wilkie-Smith and two mums, Hazel McMenemy and Helen Thornton.

The juniors in the team certainly weren’t the tallest of players but their determination and organisation were formidable. Eve Cunningham made several last ditch saves, Erin Donaghey, Charlie Dillon and Caspar Wilkie-Smith were talented and tenacious in midfield and the calm and experience of Sophie Thornton and Benedict Gibbard made for great team work.

In the cup for more established players, the Pink team captained by Hattie Brown and comprising of her dad Gary, brother Jacob, and friends Nicky Baguely, Finn Mawson and brother and sister Tory and Dan Connolly, was one of the finalists.

They played the Yellow team, this time it was a dad and son, Mike and captain Alex Read, joined by Sue Crawford, Katy Brown, Sam Myers, Jack Cawood, Hew Hawley, Sam Armstrong and Tom Drake.

It was a close fought match, with the Yellow team eventually winning 2-0.

The junior hockey club also took this opportunity to give awards to the most valuable and improved juniors in the club. The year 6 and under award for girls went to Poppy Wilde. The year 6 and under award for boys was won by Ethan Dillon.

The year 7 and over award for girls was won by May Thomas. The year 7 and over award for boys went to Ben Hindmarch.

For the first time a trophy was presented to the junior who coaches felt had given the most to the club. The inaugural winner of the trophy was Sam Armstrong.