Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club men’s masters beat Sittingbourne in National Tier 2 Plate final

Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club’s men’s masters won their first national trophy by beating Sittingbourne in the final of the National Tier 2 Plate.

The over-35s triumphed 3-1 against their rivals from Kent in what was their first appearance in a national final since 1997.

Stortford took the lead within three minutes at the Nottingham Hockey Centre as Dan Mantell found the net with a reverse-stick finish following a fine run.

Sittingbourne showed how dangerous they were by equalising from a slick penalty corner routine with 15 minutes gone.

Stortford managed to gain some control and restored their advantage before half time when Jack Wheaton slotted in a powerful flick from a penalty corner.

And they secured the win and the silverware early in the second period as David Roberts spectacularly converted Adam Farley’s aerial ball.

They could have won by a greater margin, but Craig Smith was unfortunate to be denied a goal when the officials did not see his deft touch.

Stortford had lost in the first round of the Masters Cup before dropping into the Plate competition.

Wins over Broxbourne, Hertford, Milton Keynes and Burnt Ash were claimed before they received a walkover against Team Bath Buccaneers in the semi-finals.