East Grinstead Crowned Women's Super 6s Champions On Thrilling Day Of Action In London

Ellie Rayer helped fire East Grinstead to a memorable women’s Super 6s title as the Sussex side battled to a 4-3 victory over Repton at the Copper Box Arena.

After breezing past Slough 5-0 in the first game of a thrilling Finals Day, the recent two-time indoor finalists delivered another dazzling display as Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Rayer, Courtney Hansford and Chloe Brown grabbed the goals.

Sally Walton continued her prolific form on Hockey's Big Day In by opening the scoring for Repton but spearheaded by Rayer, East Grinstead turned the tables to etch their name onto the coveted domestic crown.

Repton came flying out of the blocks as Walton – who bagged a double in her team’s gripping semi-final triumph over reigning women’s champions Buckingham – fired them in front after just five minutes.

But East Grinstead did not take long to respond as Rayer, also buoyed by a brace in her team’s semi-final win against Slough, levelled just one minute later.

That handed Grinstead the momentum and they took full advantage at the end of the first quarter, with Rayer – part of the Team GB side who beat India to bronze at the Olympic Games this summer – flipping the game on its head before the break.

Repton kept themselves in the contest throughout the second period but when Hansford and Brown netted either side of half-time, Repton were left with a mountain to climb.

Walton scored her second – and fourth of Finals Day – to cut the deficit for Retford and when Claudia Swain struck with just two minutes remaining, the stage was set for a thrilling finale.

Goalkeeper Laura Myers brilliantly denied the Derbyshire side in the closing moments as East Grinstead clung on to complete a memorable afternoon at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Earlier in the day, Rayer’s double either side of half-time helped her side breeze past Slough – the joint-most successful indoor team in England – 5-0.

The 2020 semi-finalists found some of their most fluent form in the morning and after topping their Premier Division group with an impressive 22 points, wasted no time establishing their superiority.

Amy Thompson required just 14 minutes to break the deadlock before Sophie Bray doubled their advantage at the end of the first quarter.

And then it was Rayer’s turn to get in on the act and start her Finals Day party, netting just before half-time to open up a commanding advantage.

Rayer, 26, grabbed her second goal at the end of the third quarter before Brown saved the best until last with a stunning strike to seal it.

That result meant East Grinstead went one step further than their heartbreak two years ago while in the second game of the day, it was defending champions Buckingham – who beat them 5-4 in the 2020 semi-finals – who took to the pitch against Repton.

And it was Repton – who finished five points above Buckingham to come second in the Premier Division – who delivered the day’s standout women’s semi-final performance as they ended Buckingham’s Super 6s reign 5-3 in thrilling fashion.

Swain struck the first blow to haul Repton in front after just two minutes before Alex Naughalty’s leveller showcased all the grit and determination that made her side champions two years ago.

Repton rallied back into the contest, however, as Walton re-established their advantage on the cusp of half-time to cap a gripping first period.

The thrilling spectacle continued into the second half as Repton ace Svea Boker almost made it three but was denied by a Copper Box post.

They did eventually further stretch their advantage when Swain struck again but Buckingham, determined not to surrender their Super 6s crown, reeled them back in when Lottie Porter grabbed their second.

The helter-skelter affair took another twist when Eleanor Watton and Abbie Brant exchanged blows and despite a late Buckingham rally, Walton’s late penalty proved the final nail in their coffin.

That result booked that tantalising final against East Grinstead - and it was Rayer and her team who prevailed on a scintillating day of women’s hockey in London.