Four games over four days is not an easy feat but is a task that faced all eight of our participating teams in the Tilman Brewin Dolphin EuroHockey Trophy.

Pool A was tight, with Slavia Praha eventually running out as table toppers, despite a first game draw. However, they won their remaining fixtures to ensure a spot in Mondays final. Their other group opponents, Atasport finished 2nd in the Pool, followed by Amsicora and Whitchurch.

In Pool B, for our mens 1st XI games were equally as tight. The guys came into the tournament ranked 7th out of eight. They blew away OKS from the Ukraine on Friday 5-2 (Hosking x2, Darling x 2, Blakeney), before getting past Grange 3-2 on Saturday (Hosking, Bruton, Canning). This left them needing just a draw against Stroitel Brest to progress to the final. All was going according to plan on Sunday as the guys went one up thanks to a Luke Madeley corner. However, two quick goals allowed the Belarusians to claim their stake, as they then camped in their half, relying on aerials to get them out of trouble. Five chances to Rovers 33 in total, was enough to see them through as they won 2-1.

That left the bronze medal to play for on Monday against Atasport. Once again, despite leading, a 2-1 lead was pegged back to 3-2, leaving the team from Azerbaijan to collect the medal.

Slavia Praha and Stroitel Brest played out the final later in the day, all of which was streamed live and can still be seen on YouTube. The Czechs went ahead but the corner routine of the Belarusians won out, eventually running 3-1 winners.

The final standings were as follows:
Stroitel Brest (BLR)
Slavia Praha (CZE)
Atasport (AZE)
TRR (IRL)
Grange (SCO)
Amsicora (ITL)
OKS (Ukraine)
Whitchurch (WAL)

The player of the tournament went to the number 10 of Stroitel Brest, as their team also picked up goalkeeper of the tournament.

Our medals and prizes were presented by an array of guests including Inez Cooper of the EHF, Matt Minch from Tilman Brewin Dolphin, Simon Walker of Kepak, Stephen Martin of the Olympic Council, Richard Kendrick of the IHA, Mandy Bools ladies club captain, Andrew Walker, mens club captain, John Findlater club president, David Balbirnie, and Angus Kirkland, both of the EHF.