Rayer shines as East Grinstead swat aside Slough

Maidenhead’s Ellie Rayer helped fire East Grinstead to the women’s Super 6s title at the Copper Box on Sunday as they beat Repton in the final having swatted aside Slough in the semi finals.

Slough headed to London looking to make history having won the event a record 14 times. Although this was the fifth time in eight seasons the Pink & Blacks had qualified for the finals, they hadn’t lifted the trophy since 2016/17 and they were given precious little opportunity to repeat that on Sunday as they were beaten 5-0 by a Rayer-inspired East Grinstead.

Slough had managed to draw with East Grinstead in qualifying but there was no repeat in Sunday’s first semifinal with Rayer netting a brace in a comfortable win.

The former Claires Court School student, who won a bronze medal with Team GB in Tokyo last summer, notched another brace in a 4-3 victory over Repton in the final, flipping the game on its head with two first half goals after Repton had taken the lead. Courtney Hansford and Chloe Brown grabbed their other goals.

Earlier in the day, Rayer’s double either side of half-time helped Grinstead secure a 5-0 win over the joint-most successful indoor team in England. Amy Thompson broke the deadlock after 14 minutes before Sophie Bray doubled their advantage at the end of the first quarter. Rayer then got in on the act, netting either side of half-time to open a commanding advantage. Brown then saved the best for last with a stunning strike to seal it. Repton then ended Buckingham’s Super 6 reign in thrilling fashion with a 5-3 win to set up an exciting finale.