England’s women defeat Hockeyroos to take gold
Hockey: Marlow’s Holly Hunt on target in final after penalty heroics from Hinch
England’s women won their first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the hockey on Sunday, defeating Australia 2-1 in the final in Birmingham.
In glorious conditions, England deservedly claimed their place on top of the rostrum after two goals in the space of four minutes from Marlow’s Holly Hunt and Tess Howard.
After a cagey opening the game sparked into life when Hunt fired home from the top of the D after being well picked out by Flora Peel from a penalty corner.
Howard then flicked in a second - from another Peel assist - to give the hosts what proved to be an unassailable 2-0 lead just four minutes later.
The Hockeyroos did rally in the second half and managed to get themselves on the scoresheet with just 19 seconds left on the clock, but it proved too late to spoil England's party and the players celebrated joyously with the fans at the final whistle.
The England team featured several Maidenhead and Marlow based players, with Ellie Rayer, Hannah Martin, Giselle Ansley, Shona McCallin, Anna Toman, Maddie Hinch and Hunt all local to the area.
Afterwards, captain Hollie Pearne-Webb said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. We knew we had the potential to do it as a squad. Over the last few weeks, World Cup and here, we’ve been building and learning our identity. I’m really pleased, especially with our first half performance against a top-class Australian side. This has never been achieved by an England hockey team before, so it’s just so special. To achieve this later in my career is special. After a silver and a bronze in the Commonwealth Games, this is worth the wait.
“We saw what the Lionesses did last week, they were hugely inspirational for us, and we watched them. To be on that women’s team sport movement is a privilege and I’m so happy we can be part of it. We had a video message from Leah [Williamson] this morning, which was amazing.”
England were bronze medal winners at the Games on the Gold Coast four years ago, and they’ve looked an even classier act throughout this tournament. They won all their pool matches, against Ghana, Canada, India, and Wales, before ousting New Zealand on penalties in the semi-final. Goalkeeper Hinch was the hero of the hour, saving all four of the Kiwis’ penalties after the match had finished goalless.
The opening quarter of Sunday’s final was cagey, however, Hunt’s unstoppable strike early in the second period settled lingering nerves. Howard flicked home a second from another Peel assist four minutes later and Toman might have made it 3-0, with a shot that crashed against the post, before Australia pegged England back.
Hinch said afterwards: “This is right up there, because of this stage and being at home. Off the back of so many low moments along the way, to come here and live the fairy tale. I had so many goosebumps about the idea of doing this, but you know the challenges that lie ahead.
“For the girls to go and win every game is just amazing, conceding two goals, none in open play. Defensively, we were outstanding all tournament and I think that set the tone. Sport is a rollercoaster ride. This is an unbelievable high, there’ll be many more highs and lows. You can’t take these occasions lightly, I’m so glad we stayed in the moment, didn’t get carried away and were able to bring these dreams to life.
“I don’t think the reality of what we’ve done will set in until we go home, watch it back and see our friends and families. I’m delighted.”
Hunt, 25, added: “This is my old university pitch so to be back out here playing in a Commonwealth final and getting a gold medal is surreal. I can’t believe what’s just happened, it’s amazing.
“I didn’t know what to do. All I was thinking is ‘stop this ball and hit it as hard as I can’. Thankfully it went in, and I just jumped on the spot. There are girls in our squad who have been around for years and not even been in a final, let alone win a gold medal, so I almost feel I’ve cheated the system a bit. I’m so grateful to be part of this squad.”