Released: 10.06.08

This years’ Primary Mixed Hockey Festival, now in its seventh year was hailed as the best yet by Plymouth Hockey Development Group chairman and UCP Marjon staff member Jamie Oxley.

The event was organised by the PHDG and sponsored by Babcock Marine, UCP Marjon Sport & Leisure & Tony Pryce Sports.

A record 56 teams from Plymouth and guest teams from East Cornwall and West Devon, and over 500 players took part in the action packed two day event held at UCP Marjon. Once again blessed with fine weather a team of 14 volunteers and 32 young leaders & umpires from city schools ensured that the festival ran smoothly. Alongside the team of Plymouth volunteers were current England U21 International Matt Woods and senior Welsh international Ben Edge who ran mini coaching sessions for all the players over the 2 days.

Nigel Rowe (MBE) Babcock Marine praised the Hockey Development Group for organising such a fantastic event. Rowe said “Babcock are delighted to be the main sponsor of this event which gets better year on year. This year I was especially impressed by the high level of umpiring displayed by the young umpires alongside the exceptional skills of the players”

OPM Cup
Meavy recorded their first OPM Cup title with Salisbury Road improving on last years 3rd place finishing as worthy runners up.

Boys Player of the tournament– Ross Glibbery – Salisbury Road

Girl Player of the Tournament – Hannah Smith - Meavy

In the Mixed Hockey Shield Woodfield put on a fine show in the final winning 4-1 to secure the Mixed Hockey shield for the first time.

Shield Players of the tournament were Jordan Ruth from Woodfield and Mia Lawrence from St Andrews.

The PGSOB Plate. In the final both Mount Street and Widey Court played attacking hockey. Widey took an early lead only for Mount Street to hit back to lead 2-1. In the second half Widey equalised but Mount Street scored 2 quick goals to seal the Plate title.

Tino Mwadey and Ellie Whitehall (Mount Street) were both highlighted as the Plate players of the festival.

Individual skills challenge winners

Boys 1st Bradley (St Martins), 2nd Javier Salcile (Holbeton), 3rd Adam Woodyear (Holbeton) & Mark Arnold (St Martins)

Girls 1st Molly Walsh (Dobwalls), 2nd Jamie Lee (Old Priory), 3rd Georgia Donnelly (Kelly Prep)

Team results – 1st St Martins, 2nd Holbeton, 3rd Meavy

This years young umpire of the year was awarded to Jevon Rimmer by Devon Umpires President Paddy Porter.

Fair Play Award – Ermington Primary School and Compton C of E

Umpires were from the following schools – Plymstock, Ivybridge, Sir John Hunt, Eggbuckland, DHS for Boys, Saltash, St Bonifaces, Stoke Damerel, Plymouth High for Girls & Heles.