Hockey: Captain Tindall key to Old Boys' victory

Old Georgians emerged as the winners as the South Indoor Qualifiers for the Higgins Group Indoor National League play-offs, beating Indian Gymkhana 4-0 in the final during a day of fast, entertaining hockey at Haslemere Edge Centre yesterday. The day was a success for the Old Boys' 20-year-old captain, James Tindall, who scored three of the four goals in the final and had been an inspiration throughout the day's play.

The Old Boys looked none too confident in the pool games and they only started putting their game together in the semi-final against an experienced Brighton side. After going a goal down in 30 seconds they went on to beat Brighton 6-4 with Tindall scoring five times and providing the pass for Danny Hayden to score the sixth. With two late goals from the South African Grant Van Mayer, Brighton were just getting back into the game when their captain and player-coach, Craig Carolan, was suspended, effectively ending their comeback.

Earlier, Brighton had moved into the semi-finals with a 100 per cent record including a 6-0 victory against Holcombe, who were disappointing after their great outdoor cup exploits last week. They were unable to win enough corners to give their 16-year-old striker, Chris Bassano-Harper a chance to show his potential. Indian Gymkhana finished second to Brighton in the pool.

In Pool B, Old Georgians headed Winchester Wildcats on goal difference to take the number-one spot. Winchester, who a year ago had looked outclassed in this tournament, were much improved and in the semi-final against Gymkhana they even took the lead through Duncan Marsh before going down 1-3. Two goals from Rajinder Bansal and one from Tesinder Hanspal did the damage for Gymkhana.

South Indoor Qualifier: Pool A Phoenix & Ranelagh 0 Oxford Challenge 2; Indian Gymkhana 2 Brighton & Hove 5; Indian Gymkhana 5 Oxford Challenge 2; Brighton & Hove 6 Holcombe 0; Phoenix & Ranelagh 1 Indian Gymkhana 6; Oxford Challenge 0 Brighton & Hove 4; Holcombe 2 Indian Gymkhana 3; Brighton & Hove 9 Phoenix & Ranelagh 0; Oxford Challenge 3 Holcombe 0. Pool B Banbury 1 Winchester 4; Banbury 4 Lewes 2; Winchester 2 Old Georgians 1; Old Georgians 5 Lewes 1; Lewes 4 Winchester 3; Old Georgians 4 Banbury 1.

Semi-finals: Brighton 4 Old Georgians 6; Winchester 1 Indian Gymkhana 3. Final: Old Georgians 4 Indian Gymkhana 0.