all-comers at the recent Big Apple field hockey tournament in New York.

The men survived unbeaten during the round-robin event hosted by the New York Islanders Field Hockey Club to lift the trophy.

The matches were held on artificial surfaces and it took a while for the Pirates to get accustomed to the style of play.

In the first clash they secured a goalless draw against the British Angels thanks in the main to strong performances from Richard Adlam in defence and Kevin Hill in goal.

Finding form in the next, the Pirates thrashed the Gray Dogs of New York 6-1 with midfielders Kirk Edmunds and Bert Rodney and forwards Paul and Simon Farrington, Donnie Moniz and Nick Hammond on fire.

Things just got better the following day when team hit the British Angels for six in spite of the fact the opponents fielded four players who had turned out in the recent World Club Championships.

Needing only a draw to secure the trophy the Pirates the men came up against a more determined host team.

After going a goal up, the Islanders suffered injuries to Moniz and Adlam and had to hold on for a point when the home side equalised.

Pirates squad: Kevin Hill, Jason Bracewell, Danny Ray, Richard Adlam, Bert Rodney, Kirk Edmunds, Paul Farrington, Donnie Moniz, Simon Farrington, Nick Hammond, Saeed Khan, Jameel Beharry, Nigel Pichery.