Eurohockey Women's Club Trophy Wrap Up

On Easter Monday, EG Ladies 1st Team finished their 2021/2022 Season, playing in the Bronze Medal match of the Eurohockey Women's Club Trophy.  Click Through for more... 

Another bright sunny day in Milan and another fantastic day of hockey.  EG Ladies have had a fantastic season by any measure; winning the Cup competition last summer, winning the Indoor title in February and qualifying for Euro-indoor 2023 in the process, and yesterday securing Bronze for the first time in an outdoor European competition.

EG entered the match vs Argentia, our Italian hosts, missing one player as Eliza Wheeler was at hospital having her wrist assessed following Sunday's injury.  Sadly Eliza was unable to play and returned to the ground with her left arm in a cast.

Both sides started the game with high intensity and Argentia took the lead from a corner in 7th minute.  EG replied with a corner of their own in the 13th minute an an open play goal in the last minute of the quarter, both from Captain Sophie Bray.  Within two minutes of the restart in the second quarter, Argentia has equalised and the score was all square again at 2:2.

An exciting end to end period of hockey ensued, punctuated by a Green and a Yellow card for Argentia and EG gradually asserted themselves on the game.  Putting EG into the lead for the second time in the game, Guadalupe Lacort fired in a stunning reverse shot from the top of the circle and EG went in at half time with the score 2:3 in our favour.

The beginning of the second half saw another Yellow for Argentia during which Ellie Rayer pounced to score and put EG two ahead.  A green for EG however straight after caused some nerves.  No more score in the third quarter meant that Argentia had just 15 minutes to claw back two goals and as a result further opportunities opened up for EG as the Italians pressed forward.

Sophie Bray completed her hat-trick in the 50th minute and Ellie Rayer scored the goal that would make her the tournament's top scorer with three minutes remaining.

The group has been a credit to East Grinstead and represented well as England's club in the Eurohockey Club Trophy.  Best wishes to Hampstead & Westminster Ladies who will take our place next season, but the taste the team has had of Lille and Milan during the season just completed, means EG will be pushing for those European qualification places again next season !

Thankyou to the supporting families, to the coaches and management and of course to the players; all played a massive part in this journey !