Trojans girls re-establish West supremacy

Trojans ladies scored three times in less than five stunning second half minutes to sink Stourport 4-0 – and pull off one of their finest England Women’s Hockey West Conference results in recent seasons.
It re-established their hold on the West leadership, weakened by the previous week’s 1-0 defeat by Reading, who remain one point behind in second place after a 2-1 win at Isca.
Beating Stourport on their own West Midlands soil was a perfect tonic for the Stoneham girls, who have now won six of their seven matches.
Jill Toombs and Jenny Peebles converted penalty corners either side of an Emma Teague penalty stroke as Trojans forged into a 3-0 lead ten minutes into the second half.
Hannah Leigh wrapped things up with a 57th minute field goal.
Trojans’ Becks Treharne said: “It was a game of two halves: the first an exhilarating contest in which both sides fought hard to gain an inch, and the second where the Trojans secured the mile.
“Though no measurable outcomes were seen in the first half, the score failed to reflect the epic battle that unfolded.
“Continuous streams of attack seemed unending, and the half time whistle was warmly welcomed: everyone was gasping for breath.”
Trojans unleashed their goal battery six minutes into the second half – Stourport (who won the corresponding game 7-0 last season) being swept aside with three set-piece goals in rapid succession.
Jill Toombs opened the scoring from a penalty corner, Emma Teague converted a penalty stroke after drawing a foul, and then captain Jenny Peebles struck home a powerful rebound to give Trojans a 3-0 lead.
Hannah Leigh compounded Stourport’s agony 13 minutes from the end after chasing a pass to the far byeline and sending an elegant flick past the home keeper.
“It was a fantastic win, one which will send confidence soaring in the camp,” Treharne added.
“But it’s important we focus and concentrate on Olton & West Warwicks at Stoneham Lane on Saturday, noon.”