A week of hard-fought matches for two of Bedford Hockey Club’s Masters players, Dave Appleton and Kate Costin, culminated in gold medal winning performances for the pair, playing in the European Masters Championships in Valencia.
Dave earned his 22nd England cap in outdoor play, adding to his 5 in indoor competition, in action with the England Men’s over 40s, while Kate has now notched up 35 international caps, stepping up this year to play for the England Women’s over 40s.
The England men put in a particularly dominant performance beating Spain, 5-1 as well as thrashing Ireland, Scotland and France in the play-offs.
A 10-0 victory in the semi-finals against the French took the England side to the final where they were also dominant in a 7-1 victory over Ireland.
Outstanding play by Dave Appleton in the final, which led to England lifting the winning trophy, saw him awarded the Player of the Match Award.
The women’s journey to the finals opened with a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic, followed by a 12-0 goal fest against Alliance, with Bedford’s Kate Costin bagging four of the goals.
Next up was a 3-1 victory over Spain; a 2-0 win against Germany and a 5-1 victory in the semi-finals against the Czech Republic before England went toe-to-toe with a strong Wales side, pulling off a 1-0 gold-winning performance in the final.
It was also a golden weekend for two other Bedford Masters, Becca Budd and Andrea Mason, after they travelled to Greater Manchester to represent the East in the Regional over 50s tournament.
The competition saw them take on teams from the South East, South Central, West, North West, Midlands, London and Yorkshire & North.
Playing in intense heat with a gruelling schedule of play, the East remained undefeated in all their seven matches as Becca and Andrea returned south as gold medal winners.
Words by Jean Fitch
