Hockey: Sherwani inspires Stourport

STOURPORT retained their Birmingham International Indoor title in a hard-fought, exciting final at Cocks Moor Woods yesterday. They beat the Canadian national side, playing as the Adanacs, 4-3 to register their third success in the six years of the event.

Once again, as in so many of the Midlanders' successes, Imran Sherwani, who won Olympic gold for Britain in Seoul, dominated proceedings. He gave his side the lead in the opening minute when he converted their first corner, then David Knott quickly made it 2-0 before the Canadians got into their stride.

Peter Milkovich pulled a goal back for the Adanacs, but the game appeared beyond their reach when Knott and Jon Roberts scored two goals at the beginning of the second half to put Stourport 4-1 ahead.

Then the Canadians, led by their captain, Patrick Burrows, who was later named player of the tournament, fought back strongly. Pat Caruso converted a corner, Burrows a stroke, and Stourport were hanging on desperately at the finish.

Vikings, the Danish national side, took third place in the tournament, beating Harborne 7-3 in their final game.

In two closely fought semi-finals Adanacs, after leading Vikings

5-2, held on for a 5-5 draw then won the resulting penalty-stroke barrage 5-4. In a repeat of the Midlands indoor final, Stourport turned the tables on Harborne to win 6-5.