Medals For English Clubs In Europe

Old Georgians and Surbiton have come away with medals and East Grinstead finished fifth after their performances at European Club championships over the Easter weekend.

Old Georgians’ men put in an impressive performance to win their very first EHL Men’s medal, defeating Rot-Weiss Köln 3-2 in the bronze medal match.

Chris Proctor proved the hero as his winning goal in the closing quarter won the day, thrashing home with just under seven minutes to go after a topsy-turvy contest.

Lee Morton was the inspiration for the first OGs goal, racing away from tackles before passing to Sam Hiha. His first-time pass was perfect for Alan Forsyth to dive onto and score with another first touch.

Proctor then dug out a super backhand shot from a classy move along the right baseline to make it 2-0 in the 39^th minute.

Tom Grambusch dragged his side back into contention with two drag-flicks in quick succession from penalty corners to tie it up at 2-2 at the end of the third quarter.

And Rot-Weiss pressed forward looking to take the lead with Thies Prinz stinging the pads of George Pinner.

Old Georgians sat deep and looked to counter-attack and it was via this avenue they robbed possession on the 23-metre line. It was again worked to Proctor who got the ball onto his backhand and powered it past Jean Danneberg.

Rot-Weiss’s challenge was further dented when Tom Grambusch was shown a red card for dissent as the London club celebrated making history in style.

East Grinstead’s women secured their fifth place while Biba Mills secured her place in history as the league’s youngest goal scorer. They went into the ranking match against Dragons having lost to eventual winners Amsterdam in their opening match.

The 15-year-old guided in Lily Walker’s bouncing ball at the right post with nine minutes left to earn a 2-1 win over Gantoise in their RANKING MATCH, boosting England’s chances of getting a second-place next season.

The win was also down to huge performances from 18-year goalkeeper Isabel Field and Laura Roper in midfield. Field brilliantly tipped an Alix Gerniers shot onto the post before Walker calmly put the English club in front from a corner second phase.

Field then saved an Ambre Ballenghien stroke before half-time but did get Gantoise back level in the third quarter with a low penalty corner.

They had further corner chances, but EG were the ones to capitalise from their set piece, again on the second phase, with Walker picking the ball up on the left and Mills did the rest.

Surbiton’s women put in an excellent performance throughout the EuroHockey Club Trophy to win all four of their matches on the way to being crowned champions.

In the final, it was the second quarter that saw a lot of the action with four goals. Surbiton went ahead after Giselle Ansley converted a penalty corner for the side before the Dragons equalised a minute later.

Hannah French slotted home a field goal in the 26^th minute but once again Surbiton’s lead didn’t last long as the Dragons netted their second in the 29^th minute.

The final quarter saw the match decided after Surbiton scored two goals in quick succession. Sophie Hamilton scored a field goal in the 49^th minute and slotted home her second three minutes later.

The Dragons pulled one back in the 57^th minute but couldn’t find the equaliser. Surbiton sealed their win with a final score of 4-3.