Island side fares well in County Championships

The Isle of Man men's hockey squad secured a fifth place finish in the England Hockey County Championships in Leicester over the weekend.

They faced strong opposition in the group stage from hosts Leicestershire, Derbyshire and The Army.

The Island drew 1-1 with the Army – Chris Bass the scorer – but were beaten 5-1 by Derbyshire, Tom Evans with the Island goal.

Evans also scored twice, with one from Alex Bell, as the Island lost 5-3 to Leicestershire.

In the qualification play-off, the Isle of Man finished 5-2 winners over Wiltshire - Johnny Callow, Andy Whiting, Bell, captain Jamie Brown and Andy Vernon Browne were the scorers.

That set up a rematch with the Army in the fifth/sixth place play-off and a 6-2 success.

Two more from Vernon Browne, two from James Harrison and solitary strikes from Bell and Callow secured the victory.