Harry Martin at Old Loughtonians Hockey Club with youth team player Emily Harris

GB Hockey star Harry Martin in attendance at Luxborough Lane to hand over Team GB shirt to club.

Old Loughtonians Hockey Club welcomed club members and players to an open day on Sunday at their new Olympic pitches in Luxborough Lane, Chigwell.

Players of all ages attended the opening that also included the presentation of prizes by Old Loughtonians Great Britain player Harry Martin.

Martin competed in London 2012 and has since donated his Great Britain team shirt to the club.

But later the mens 1st XI were unable to add to the day’s celebrations as they crashed to a 5-2 home defeat to Richmond, despite leading through a goal from Josh Mepham on six minutes.

Richmond’s response was swift, as Iain Rorison equalised for the visitors on 14 minutes and then Josh Smith netted twice in three minutes to turn the match on its head.

Dashed

The scoreline remained 3-1 at the break but any hopes Old Loughts had of victory were dashed on 45 minutes when Pieter Welten slotted a penalty corner on 45 minutes and Mark Vowles scored five minutes later.

Stuart Hardy scored a consolation goal for the hosts from open play in the 65th minute.