HOCKEY

BISHOP'S STORTFORD-born hockey ace Jonny Sloman was the toast of Sheffield after starring for Exeter University as they landed the prestigious Trophy Final, writes John Tompson.

The 18-year-old - a former Bishop's Stortford College pupil - was the star of the show as Exeter's second string topped the podium at the British University Championships, beating Loughborough 2-1 with a golden goal from Simon Tyson at Sheffield's Abbeydale Sports Club.

Sloman (pictured) who is in his first year of a sports science degree, breathed a huge sigh of relief after Tyson's last-gasp heroics.

"We've done really well and of course there were a lot of nerves," said Sloman.

"We've worked really hard in every game and we wanted to make sure we did ourselves justice.

"This is obviously my first BUSA Championships but I would love to come back and compete again."

Sloman believes Exeter's win was all the more special, with Loughborough having dominated men's hockey in recent years.

While the second string came unstuck against Exeter, Loughborough's elite hammered Bath 7-1 to win the Championship final.

But Sloman is convinced Loughborough should be looking over their shoulder in 12 months, with Exeter hockey well and truly on the up.

"Loughborough were a good team and they are an established sports university but we knew we had nothing to lose," he added.

"I think Loughborough generally expect to win matches like this so for anyone else to win is nice for the sport in general.

"Hopefully I'll be back next year because I want to pick up a few more medals.

"We were all up for it and I really enjoyed - I want to sample that feeling again in a hurry."

Yorkshire Forward, the region's development agency, and Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit has attracted the British University Championships to the City, with faces of the London 2012 Olympics set to pass through its doors.

9:36am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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