GORLESTON Hockey Club's centenary celebrations concluded last weekend with a match at Cliff Park against a strong Norwich City XI commemorating the first match played between the two clubs in 1910.

GORLESTON Hockey Club's centenary celebrations concluded last weekend with a match at Cliff Park against a strong Norwich City XI commemorating the first match played between the two clubs in 1910.

Following the game Gorleston chairman Russ Crawford presented the Norwich side with a commemorative cup and reflected on the changes over the past 100 years, notably that the first match was between mixed players on grass and with very different rules.

Earlier on the Saturday over 50 players took part and many spectators enjoyed a nine-a-side tournament with teams from Gorleston U30, Gorleston O30, Lowestoft Railway, Gorleston Legends and Gorleston Veterans.

In hot and sunny conditions it was predictable that the Gorleston U30 should eventually win the Centenary Shield awarded to the winner but there were notable games along the way, in particular 2-2 draw between the Legends and the Veterans and a 1-0 defeat of the U30 by the O30.

Highlight of the weekend was the dinner on Saturday night in the Victory Suite of the Great Yarmouth Racecourse Conference Centre attended by 85 past and present members of the club.

Speakers were skipper Kevin MacDonald who gave a toast to the club and presented out-going chairman Hugh Wiltshire with a special cut-glass vase marking his long service.

Mr Wiltshire then reminisced on his past 50 years in the sport and the Gorleston Hockey Club in particular and proposed a toast to the guests.

There was also a new special award the John Dawson Centennial Cup made to Russ Crawford for his work on behalf of the club last season.

An auction and raffle (including a Norwich City shirt signed by the League One Champions) raised over �450 for club funds.