England over-80s hockey team face Netherlands

The game could be the oldest age group international in any sport

A group of octogenarian hockey players have faced a Dutch side in a match held in Canterbury.

The England over-80s side claims to be the oldest group of athletes selected by a national body to represent the country.

In the game at Polo Farm Sports Club on Wednesday the Netherlands won 2-0.

The English players range in age from 80 to 87.

An additional B team international match against the Netherlands was also held, with the Dutch winning 3-1.

Several of the England B team players are over 85.

Player manager Adrian Stephenson said his team ran around for the full 70 minutes, adding that "everybody is kept remarkably fit".

"We all have our different warm-up routines because there are various things wrong with most of us," he told BBC Radio Kent.

Tony Jones said you "have to keep everything stretched" when playing sport in older age

Alongside player Tony Jones, Mr Stephenson has played hockey for England for more than 20 years, starting in the over 60s category.

Mr Jones, from Ash, in Kent, said the "excitement of having camaraderie in a team" was what spurred them on.

Another player, Andy Holden, said the England over-80s side had already beaten the Netherlands on three out of four occasions.

But "they're very competitive", he added.

*This story corrects and clarifies match results reported in a previous version.