THE BANKS INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY FESTIVAl, which last Saturday completed its 22nd edition, showed signs of recapturing former glories with the week producing satisfyingly high-quality standards of play on the field and a diverse social calendar off of it. The Dominion men's team have made a habit of festival success, but their fourth title in five years was probably their most satisfying. It was earned with flawless progress through the pool stages and capped with a thrilling 3-2 win over a quality Grasshappers side from the Netherlands in the men's final. The crowd, which grew to 1 000, enjoyed Finals Day on Saturday and they livened up the Astroturf at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex with several Mexican waves. The veterans' title was the first title to be decided. All Stars, traditionally one of the biggest contingents every festival week, sealed success after a penalty shoot-out against regular visitors New York Islanders, a team with a distinctly Caribbean background. The mixed crown went to Remnants for the ninth time in the past decade despite a spirited showing from Dominion in the final. A Badd Connection (ABC) sealed the women's championship for the second straight year with an absorbing 3-2 win against Old Gold Roosters in the final. (CC)
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