FOUR players from two local National Premier Division hockey clubs set out on the long path to Olympic glory this week at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre made familiar to all sports enthusiasts by England's footballers (writes SEAN COTTER).

The four joined 29 other players from England, Scotland and Wales as part of the first Great Britain squad training camp in preparation for Athens next August.

Brett Garrard and James Wallis of Surbiton and Teddington goalkeeper Jon Ebsworth had all figured prominently in England's three-match test series against Malaysia at Lilleshall earlier this month and were now joined by Surbiton's Ben Hawes, who had been unavailable for those games.

However Teddington's Rob Moore, who also played against Malaysia, was selected for the camp but unable to attend because of examination commitments.

The squad was also scheduled to play two practice games against Reading, and with their seven GB training camp members released to play for them.

The first game took place at Reading's ground on Wednesday evening and resulted in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Hawes and Wallis were both in the starting line up for GB who led 1-0 at the interval through a Mike Leonard strike.

Ebsworth came on as goalkeeper for the second half and within two minutes Reading were level.

Ebsworth then kept GB in the game with a series of excellent saves until, six minutes from the end, Hawes was harshly shown a five-minute yellow card. But even reduced to ten men, GB managed to retake the lead with a stick strike from Niall Stott before an equaliser arrived from Mark Pearn.

The second game will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at Bisham Abbey (10.30am).