UPTON'S now defunct men's hockey club have remained in close contact over the years and this year decided to organise another tour, to play in the 51st Annual Torbay Hockey Festival, sponsored by Upton-upon-Severn company Midland Communications.

Primarily organised by Eddie Love and Rob Williams the tour party included 14 people, split half and half between hockey players and non-hockey players. Despite this, the side known as the Severnsiders, had six games over the Easter weekend, two on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday and Monday.

The festival games are normally split so each team plays a similar standard of team. However in their last visit to Torbay the Severnsiders had done quite well so were this time given some difficult opponents. This resulted in Upton coming away with six defeats ranging from 3-1 on the first day to an end of tour 'we want to go home' 10-2 defeat.

In total the inexperienced Upton side only managed six goals in six games but obviously there were some notable moments particularly Matt Bookham's first ever hockey goal which was greeted with some delirious celebrations. Other tour goal scorers were Paul Williams (2), Rich Cope (2) and Jez Drake. Rich Scott was magnificent in goal despite being peppered with shots.

Rob Heeley and Ben Penson worked tirelessly all weekend with scars to show while Adrian Pratley added a touch of continental class to the midfield area.

The only disappointment of the tour was the fitness level of Gaz Moore who pulled a hamstring in the first game and never really showed his devastating pace out wide.