Beckie Herbert

A SIX-GOAL blitz from Beckie Herbert helped England win the Eurohockey Indoor Nations Challenge yesterday.

The 23-year-old proved crucial in both attack and defence scoring in three of the five matches and making an indispensable clearance off the line against Sweden which secured her side a 1-1 draw.

With England styling a 6-0 victory over Wales in their first match on Friday, the Leicester HC player came into the fore in the second match, against France, converting two chances in open play into goals as England won 7-0.

On Saturday, England and Sweden shared the points as their match finished 1-1 with an early clearance from the Jersey-girl proving vital. Herbert was back on the score sheet in the second match of the day, netting a field goal after 20 minutes as England pounced to an 8-2 success over Croatia.

Saving the best for last Herbert ended her tournament with a hat-trick of field goals against Turkey yesterday as England romped to a commanding 10-0 triumph.

Their success over the three days ensured England finished top of the table to take overall victory and secure promotion into next year’s Eurohockey Indoor Nations Trophy – the second tier of European competition.