Brewery rolls out barrel for team

MAKING a splash: the underwater hockey players are heading to Devon for a competiton — and a few beers

AN underwater hockey team is making a splash in Greenfield by taking on the village name.

Ducking and diving in a sub-aqua chase for the puck, the Manchester team draws members from Tameside and Dukinfield for training sessions at Miles Platting pool in the city.

Yet the players are taking on the name of Greenfield for a major competition in Devon after a local brewery pledged its support.

The Greenfield Real Ale Brewery has sponsored the team and handed over a barrel of local brew to the team as it heads to the south coast event on Saturday.

Greenfield will go up against eight other teams from across the country in the hockey challenge, to be followed by a beer festival.

Club secretary Phil Lawrence (54) said: “We were thrilled the brewery wanted to support us and we’ll do our best to do them proud.

“It’s an unusual sport but people don’t realise it has been played since the 1950s.

“It takes real team work and effort but underwater hockey is so accessible, anyone can have a go.

“This weekend will be great, as soon as we finish the competition we’ll be breaking open that barrel of beer and playing pub games instead.”