Tuesday saw the return of Veterans hockey to Sydney, with the Sydney Veterans Hockey Association kicking off their 2011 pre-season competition.

All teams, regardless of whether they win or lose in the first week will play three matches, allowing them to select sides for the upcoming season.

All joking aside, how many of us know the rules of Hockey?  I am aware that the membership of this site includes players, umpires and supporters.  I know everyone professes to know the rules inside out and upside down.

Ask any umpire, every player on the ground tells them regularly that they, the player, knows the rules better than the umpire does - a statement often uttered as the player is being shown a card or had a goal disallowed.

With 2010 coming to a close, I thought it worthy to put together a summary of some of the highlights of the 2010, taken from the various competitions I have participated in.

The year started with my making a brave decision and changing clubs. Sydney Uni had provided me with 10 years of enjoyable hockey, both grade and veterans, and allowed me to win both state and national titles. However an offer from the guys at Macarthur was too good to turn down, and so the Blue and Gold was swapped for Green and Gold.

With the two-time defending champions Victoria performing below their best thus far, they were out to grab a win against the undefeated NSW Blues.  Anything other than a win would see them unable to continue their defense of the title they had snatched from NSW in the previous two years.

As expected, both sides came to play, and Victoria started well, converting a penalty corner early to take the lead.

After two hard hit outs against the Victorians, the match in Busselton against the Western Australia Country side was expected to be a difficult encounter, with a clash of styles and fatigue in the legs.

Played in the heat of the day, this was one of four NSW sides playing in a row, and after a win by the 45/1's and a heart-breaking loss by the 40/3's, the NSW Waratahs were out to ensure that the ledger was tipped in favour of NSW.