Canterbury veteran John Maylam has become a double Grand Masters Hockey World Cup winner.

Maylam, 64, helped England over-60s retain their trophy with a 3-1 win over Australia in the final in Cape Town, giving the Canterbury stalwart another gold medal to add to the one he won two years ago in Hong Kong.

He said: "Whatever age you are, it’s great to be a world champion. We had to play five games in five days and whatever age you are, that workload takes its toll. But we battled through and played Australia off the park to win it."

Maylam’s final showing against Australia was his last for the Grand Masters team as he now moves up to the Great Grand Masters age-group but it was be an experience he will hold fond memories of.

"Playing for the Grand Masters has been incredible. I’ve won two European golds and now I’ve got two World Cup golds," he said.

England saw off New Zealand, Holland, Scotland and Italy to progress from their pool, then a win against Germany sealed their place in the final.

Australia then beat England to set up a gold medal meeting but, when it mattered, England shone through to repeat the heroics of four years ago.