LOCAL hockey clubs got the chance to see the splendid new facilities at Blockley Sports Club last Sunday.

The occasion was the club's annual grass tournament contested by several local sides.

The project to install an artificial floodlit multi sports games area was specially designed to provide a five-a-side football/hockey pitch and three cricket net lanes.

Costing £130,000, the unrivalled facilities at Sparmoor are the culmination of a two-year challenge for the ambitious Cotswolds club's planning committee comprising Marie Liptrot, Rachel Righton, Kirsty Bosley, John Dewhurst and Brian Gee.

Financial support in the form of grant aid has come from Sport England, Cotswold District Council, Lord's Taverners, Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association and other donations, loans and the fund-raising efforts of the club and North Cotswold Young Cricketers Club.

When not in use by Blockley S & SC or NCYC the facilities are available for hire by schools, clubs or individuals.

Floodlighting isn't yet operable but the facilities have met with universal praise from footballers, cricketers and the hockey contingent.

Anyone interested in hiring the facilities should contact Jayne McGrath on 07751 749731 or 01386 41552 (evgs only).

Sunday's action saw the teams split into two groups of four and Bourton and Bretforton claimed the semi-final spots.

Bourton then ended the home side's hopes of victory with a 4-3 penalty stroke success after a goalless semi-final clash.

Bretforton claimed the other final place after a 3-0 defeat of a gallant Bidford side. The goals came from Liz Murray-White, Lisa Workman and Sarah Hall, who had scored her side's solitary strike in the pool matches - a 1-0 defeat of Shipston after two goalless draws.

There was just a single goal from Andrea Cole in the final and it went to Bretforton, who were crowned winners on what proved a memorable afternoon at the smart new venue.