Hockey: Two Island sides claim EH Championships victories

A trio of national teams were competing in the UK last weekend

Two of the Isle of Man's senior national hockey teams took victories in their first England Hockey Championships fixtures of the new season.

The Isle of Man Men's A and Men's B sides secured wins in the opening round of this season's EH Men's Tier 2 Trophy and EH Men's Tier 3 Vase respectively on Saturday, 25 October.

In Liverpool, the Men's A swept to a commanding 7-1 win over West Derby Men's 1st XI whilst the Men's B also produced a ruthless display with a 6-1 dismantling of Golborne & Prescot Men's 2nd XI in Warrington.

Elsewhere, the Manx Ladies B squad were also in action last Saturday in the EH Women's Tier 3 Vase, falling to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool Sefton Ladies 2nd XI.

During the showdown at Hope Park on Merseyside, a George Powell hat-trick was among the highlights for the Men's A side whilst there were also goals from Andy Whiting, Kyle Gunnion, Tom Burrows and Jamie Brown.

Two players, meanwhile, shared the six goals in the Men's B's successful outing with Douglas Quayle netting four times whilst there was also a brace for George Ratcliffe.

For the ladies side, Leah Mellor grabbed the Isle of Man's only goal in their loss against Liverpool Sefton.

Separately, the Isle of Man Ladies A team had previously also been due to be in action last weekend in the Women's EH Tier 2 Trophy.

However, their opponents, Lymm Ladies 1st XI conceded the fixture meaning the Manx side automatically progresses to the next phase.