MORE THAN 60 men and women, descended on Stratford Park Leisure Centre on Sunday, August 4 to take part in Stroud Hockey Club’s first ever walking hockey tournament.

Playing a ‘round robin’ formation, four teams from Stroud took on two teams from Bromsgrove and a team from Westbury in Bristol.

The competition was stiff and the final took place between SWHISH from Stroud and the Bristol team.

It was the Stroud team who lifted the trophy – a walking stick carrying the words ‘last team standing’!

Walking hockey teams can range from 3 players-a-side upwards and there is no goal keeper.

The ball is slightly larger and lighter than a normal hockey ball and only ‘slapping’ and ‘pushing’ the ball are allowed.

Running is strictly forbidden.

The Stroud walking hockey group was formed just two years ago, under the umbrella of Stroud Hockey Club.

They call themselves Stroud Walking Hockey Irresistible Sensational Hockey (SWHISH).

Founder member Pauline Edgington said: “After decades of playing field hockey, lots of us had to hang up our sticks and retire.

"Then along came walking hockey and it gave us a new lease of life on the pitch.

"It’s almost the same game, offering the same excitement, enjoyment and team spirit.

"You don’t need to be an all-out athlete to take part and many members of SWHISH had never picked up a hockey stick before joining the group.

"We all love it.

"We were delighted that the visiting teams and players from Cheltenham came on board.

It was a brilliant day. We hope this event will be the first tournament of many.”

Walking Hockey is played in Stroud on a Tuesday from 10am until 11am on the astroturf pitch at the Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

Please email pmedgington@gmail.com if you are interested in giving it a go.

The tournament ran from 11am until 2pm and games were 13 minutes each way.

The pitch was split into thirds and three matches were played at once.

Each team fielded seven players who took part in nine matches.