Runners-up

Newark Hockey Club’s Otters and Beavers Under-13 Girls were runners-up when they represented Nottinghamshire in the Midlands Mini-Hockey Finals.

Having qualified by winning the county championships, the side played to a high standard but started the tournament with a 1-0 defeat to Belper Hockey Club, of Derbyshire.

Newark drew 0-0 against Dame Alice Harpur School, of Bedfordshire, before a 3-0 win against Lichfield Hockey Club, of Staffordshire, with goals from Ciara Bamford (2) and Olivia Hodgkinson.

Newark then secured a 2-1 win against King’s High School, of Warwickshire, with both goals from Hodgkinson.

Newark won again 3-0 against Bromsgrove School, of Worcestershire, with goals from Megan-Rose Beard, Ciara Bamford and Hodgkinson.

Unfortunately the team lost 1-0 against Belper in an evenly-contested final.

l The Otters and Beavers held a their presentation evening at Balderton Village Centre on Friday.

Luke Townrow was named most improved player for the boys, and received a £10 W.H. Smith voucher for attending the most training sessions.

Olivia Hodgkinson won the girls’ player of the year trophy.

Other awards: Under-11 Boys: most improved player: Alex Wheeler; most consistent player: Matthew Barnfield; most valuable player: Jonathan Payne.

Under-13 Boys: most improved player: Harvey Hade; most consistent: Marc Underwood; most valuable: Oliver Hatcliffe. Under-15 boys’ coach’s player: Andrew Newall.

Girls awards certificates of achievement: Under-11 girls and Under-13 girls; certificates and awards for coaches: Sophie Chambers, Charlotte Mills, Emma Sanders, Liz Mumby and Shona McCallin.

Under-10 Girls: most improved player: Anna Hodgkinson; Hodgson and Elkington Co fair play award: Pippa Emmans.

Under-11 Girls: most improved player: Laura Donaldson; best newcomer: Caitlin Furness; most promising goalkeepers: Lucy Martin and Rebecca Beeching; most dedicated players: Zoe Buckland and Jessica Jackson; Hodgson Elkington and Co fair play award: Emily Hall.

Under-13 Girls: most improved player: Amy Martin; Best newcomers: Megan Turner and Megan-Rose Beard; most promising goalkeeper: Imogen Stead; dedicated player: Ciara Bamford; Hodgson Elkington and Co fair play award: Grace Sanderson.

Glyn Willis Award: Caitlin Furness.

Chris Shakespeare trophy for commitment and dedication: parent and committee member Darren Beeching.