Scottish Thistles in Barcelona

The Scottish Thistles played in the Wim van Noortwijk Memorial Tournament in Barcelona from 26 June to 3 July 2022.  The event, which was open to teams from as far away as Argentina and Australia, was for the Over 60’s, 65’s, 70’s and 75’s.

The games were played at the Royal Club de Polo and the event was held in tribute to Wim van Noortwijk. Wim was a well-respected previous Chair of the World Grand Masters Hockey Association (WGMA) and also a key figure in the establishment of Masters hockey.

Thistles took three teams: the 65’s led by Ian McCeath; the 70’s led by Ian Pett; and a team of Thistles’ ladies led by Joan Mackie. The Over 70’s led the way with a 3rd place finish; the 65’s were 11th, and the ladies were 5th.

In temperatures over 30 degrees Centigrade, the Over 70’s played eight games of 20 minutes each half, against teams from England, Holland, Belgium, Wales, Italy and Holland (x2), winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 2. In the 3rd/4th play-offs they beat Belgium Old Lions 1-0 to take the bronze medal with England LX taking the gold and Holland ‘A ‘taking the silver.

The 70’s team (bronze medallists).

Back (L-R): Peter Robertson, Jane Neil (manager) Paul Finch, Jim Chisholm, Dougie Turner, Martin Fuller, Jim Watson, Chris Kalman, Alan Murray,

Front:  Alan Parker, Graham Conkie, Kieran McLernan, Steve Lowe, Peter Gordon, Ian Pett (Captain) John Smith.

Congratulations to all our Thistles players!

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