Masters Hockey Plate semi final
Gloucestershire 1 Somerset 1
(Gloucestershire won 4-3 on penalties)
GLOUCESTERSHIRE have made it through to the final of the England Hockey Over 60s Plate final after beating Somerset in a penalty shoot-out at Newent on Sunday.
Martyn Richards gave Gloucestershire an early lead after a jinking run into the D.
The game became a war of attrition with Gloucestershire's Paddy Weaving the busier of the two keepers, but Stuart Richards in the Somerset goal was required to make a smart save with his pads from Andy Fraser's stinging shot.
As the game neared the final quarter it was Somerset who were building up momentum.
With five minutes to go Somerset won a short corner and John Wilkins deceived the home defence and the keeper with an equaliser.
With the last touch of the game Gloucestershire came close to snatching a winner but the ball hit the outside of the post from a narrow angle.
Somerset had their second penalty well saved by Weaving, but Martin Palmer, Martyn Richards, Roger Britton and Brian Stokes all scored to leave the hosts 4-3 ahead.
Weaving then produced another outstanding save to see his side through to the Olympic Park on May 3 when they face Iceni Rex in the final at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
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