An unlikely & unsuspected win for the Masters over our illustrious guests, in a evenly balanced & decent game for the spectators. The game was enjoyed so much by all that there is talk of making this an annual fixture & we hope it will!

- Darren Bendell, Masters Captain

United Services Portsmouth Hockey Club (USPHC) were very excited and honoured to welcome England LX field hockey side to HMS Temeraire, the Royal Navy home of sport, in a pre-season friendly game for Services and warm-up game for England LX prior to their European Cup campaign, which starts 2 weeks later.

This prestigious fixture started frenetically as both sides set about sussing each other out. The fifteen to twenty years of age advantage that England masters gave Services was more than matched by their ability. The initial attacking encounters often cancelled each other out with some brilliant defending, notably from the England keeper "Dave Webb" who made a low diving stick save against Robert 'Boz' Boswell early on. The game continued in this vein intriguingly until just before half time, when after a quick break by Boz, a cheeky deflection from Darren 'Daz' Bendell was raised dangerously by the England keeper resulting in a penalty flick. Rob O'Kane calmly despatched it into the net to take Services into half time in front.

From the off, in the second half, England began to impress their quality into the game pressuring the Services back for prolonged periods of pressure, which ultimately paid off in a exquisitely executed deflection into the roof of the Services goal to equalise. At this stage, the game looked to be turning in England's favour but Services rode out the quality storm and in the last fifteen minutes mounted several attacks on the break. There were chances at either end and posts were rattled but the game was decided late on in a counter attack from Services and a clinical, close range finish by Daz.

Final score: USPHC Masters 2 - England LX 1.