Paul Woodward competed for England LX

White at the Grand Masters Hockey World

Cup at HCKZ which is situated between The
Hague and the seaside resort of
Scheveningen in Holland in June and won a
Gold medal. He played in the over 60 age
group with 1200 people playing managing
and officiating in this tournament. (Right) is
a picture of Paul Woodward England LX
team mates for the tournament.

The Squad: Phil Barbagallo (GK), Zahid Arain, Alan Wade, Gavin Stones, Paj Singh, Clive Kendall, Nick Kennerley, David Bain, Mick
Christopher, Paul Woodward, John Tripp, Angus Brogdon, George Howard, Parmjit Bolina, Geoff Kiernander, John Stone, Sudesh Nayar
(Captain).
The LX Club was formed in 1995 to provide a vehicle to select the best players of over 60 years of
age to compete in matches and tournaments of a national representative nature with similar teams
from other countries and to develop fixtures with other super veterans teams in the UK. The LX Club
now offers LX members the opportunity to participate in matches against Club Veteran sides, UK
short tours, weekend events, regular games amongst LX members, as well as overseas tournaments,
tours and matches. And Paul Woodward has been luckily picked.
Paul Woodward represented Droitwich Spa Hockey Club at this tournament
where he has been an active member role for many years as he is the current
president of the club; plays league and veterans Hockey; and umpires men's
and women's games on a weekend.
Going into the tournament Paul was looking forward to this as he explains:
"This is the first time I have been picked to play in such a prestigious
tournament but I was excited to be representing England LX White at this level
but was not expecting to get to the final".
For Droitwich Paul plays either in defence or midfield and For England LX
White he started off at Left Half for the first three games.
Despite playing left half I was really pleased that I scored my first international goal in my first start
against South Africa and I was getting used to playing quarters which is something different to Club
Hockey, but this was due to the heat. Woodward goal arrived from a penalty corner that was saved
and he was on hand to put the ball away to give England the two goal cushion. John Tripp scored
England first goal, as the manager described the start as nervous in a physical encounter
England LX second game was against Southern Cross Blue and the score line was another 2-0 win.
But it was more difficult as Blue defence was tight. Paul explains that he was much more defensive as
Southern Cross pushed forward early and created several penalty corners which LX keeper made key
saves to keep the contest all square. Zahid Arain scored LX first and Angus Brogdan got the second.
England played Holland who many believed to be the strongest team at the tournament, but England
triumphed 2-0. George Howard scored the opener and Zahid Arain then converted a penalty corner to
give the team another win and Woodward had been helping keep another clean sheet.
England LX White played bottom team of the group Egypt and proved to be a comfortable 11-0 win.
Woodward scored four goals commented AlI my goals scored against Egypt were all in open play 3
in the 2nd quarter and 1 in the 3
rd
quarter. Two were passes, one from Nick Kennerley and one from
Mick Christopher in the D, and one was a dribble to the back line into the D and flicked past the GK
the 4th I can't remember. But I felt a lot more comfortable playing right half.
After this game it meant that England LX White qualified as group winners scoring 17 goals and
conceding none, with Paul Woodward contributing 5 and he had an integral part to play in the Semi
Final against Alliance the runners up from Pool B.
This was an unusually tough and physical game which will be remembered mostly for the officials
rather than the game. The game was edgy ending in a 1-1 draw with Zahid Arain scoring for LX
before Alliance equalised from a penalty corner. In between times Paul Woodward picked up a knock
after an Alliance player caught him and was carded for this offence. This meant Penalty Shuttles
would decide the tie which was the first time Paul Woodward participated which involved having 8
seconds to run into the circle and try and beat the keeper. I put myself fifth thinking that I would not
have to take one, but I did, and made it 2-2 after Nick Kennerly scored our first. This meant it was
sudden death and I was promoted to fourth to score again and we won 4-3 and this my personal
highlight of the tournament but it was excellent for the team to advance to the final against England
LX Red.
The final was a tight affair with England LX the victors 2-1 and won thanks to strikes from Zahid Arain
and John Stone both from open play before Reds gained a consolation. This was a great occasion for
England LX to have both sides in the final and personally for Paul
Woodward to have scored 7 tournament goals. Paul said: I really
enjoyed this experience and hope I can play for LX White again,
but I am looking to the forthcoming season with my club side
Droitwich. (Pictured right) is Paul Woodward with his gold medal
and cup).
Inspired to take up Hockey after reading this. Why not come and
join Droitwich Spa Hockey Club for the new season, training begins
from Wednesday September 3
rd
, or email dshc@secretary.org.uk
or look at the website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/droitwichhockeyclub