Clarke was part of the team that beat India

Two Essex hockey players have been celebrating Great Britain's qualification for the Beijing Olympics.

Team captain Glenn Kirkham and forward Jonty Clarke were part of the side that defeated India 2-0 in the final of the qualifying tournament in Chile.

Clarke, who plays his club hockey for Reading, admitted the achievement was difficult to take in.

He told BBC Essex: "It's difficult to remember much of the game because there was so much pressure riding on it."

Interview: Great Britain winger Jonty Clarke

Interview: Great Britain centre-half Glenn Kirkham

The 27-year-old from Southend highlighted the side's team spirit as one of the reasons for their success.

The Olympics is a massive achievement - it was something we had our eyes totally on Glenn Kirkham

He said: "We're really close as a unit and that's what our game is built on - it's how good we are as a team together, rather than how we are as individuals.

"I had numerous text messages after the game from people who watched it on TV, which is absolutely brilliant for us because that doesn't happen very often."

Kirkham believes qualification for the Beijing games will make up for the side's performance at last year's European Hockey Championships in Manchester.

He explained: "To come fifth was a big disappointment for us, but then all our sights went on to the Olympic qualifiers and that was the main thing.

"The Olympics is a massive achievement - it was something we had our eyes totally on."