CHARITY was the big winner as a bumper crowd packed into the Basingstoke Arena, for a special game between the Basingstoke Bison All Stars and the Basingstoke Buffalo Select.

This was organised by Sandra Leary, who has been undergoing treatment and wanted to raise money for three small charities, Chemogiftbags, the Breast Care Unit and the chemo ward and on the night over £14,000 was raised.

It was a great evening enjoyed by all at the venue, where for once the result did not matter, but just for the record it finished 10-10.

The teams included both past and present players from the Buffalo and Bison. The Buffalo team included both Sandra’s sons Neil and Michael. The game was played in great spirit as the players showed off their skills with some lovely passing moves and well taken goals.

There were also funny moments during the game, which saw referee Stefan Hogarth and Ciaran Long play act a fight and then the pair swapped shirts as the ref played for the Bison.

Hogarth did return to refereeing duties later in the game and awarded a penalty shot for the Buffalo, which was scored thanks to the linesman moving the goal for the shooter.

After the game Sandra Leary said: “When I first stepped out on the ice on Saturday, I was overwhelmed and emotional by the amount of people who had turned up to support the Hockey Hugs game. I would like to thank Anita Curtis and all the staff who were such a great help in making the evening run so smoothly, also a special thanks to Louise Pengell for coordinating the game and Clive Thompson for organising the shirt auction.

"I would also like to thank all of the match night officials, especially a fun bunch of referees. Mark Denholm my fantastic DJ, David Morris my volunteer time keeper, and especially my friends and family press ganged into helping, which they did willingly, especially my long suffering husband Bob.

"Also a big thank-you to all my fantastic sponsors Paul Baldwin Agencies, Basingstoke Audi, Bunzle Catering supplies, Legacy Sports, R. Beere & Sons Builders, Basingstoke MOT and Tyre Centre, Document Dispatch, Venture Security, John Dollin Printing and Planet Ice. Most importantly everyone for their generosity on the night."

All in all Sandra’s Hockey Hugs game was undoubtedly a great success, and enjoyed by all.