Monday, 4th June 2007 at 2:25 pm

Stoney gives hope to the world

With one exception, the Mighty Dodos, hockey’s celebrity superstars (officially supported by Feverpitcher) are an elite squad of athletes, all vested of extreme talent, searing pace, and an almost supernatural feel for the game. All, that is, bar one: Andrew Stone, the Zimbabwean striker who has the same feel for the game Monty Panesar has for fielding. Eight insurance claims have already been filed this season by owners of vehicles left in the car park 100-yards behind the goals, marking the eight times Stoney has connected with the ball this season…

…until now. For last week represented the sort of sporting turnaround not seen since Liverpool in Istanbul two years ago. Not one, but two goals off the stick of the haphazard Zimbabwean (and deliberate, rather than deflections while looking the other way, which accounted for his two goals last season) saw the Dodos home against Durbanville in midweek; three days later, and he managed another double in a 2-1 triumph over Kuils River.

Minardi winning a Formula 1 title or West Brom lifting the Premiership would have been more likely; Stoney has somehow defied vast sporting odds, however, and in the process inspired Seve to get back on the course, Tim Henman to play another season, and Graeme Smith to persevere with his off-spin. For if Stoney can score four goals in two games, there’s hope for absolutely anyone.