Crown is theirs at last

IT was third time lucky for East Grinstead's indoor hockey team when players ended two years of frustration by winning the National Indoor Championship in Birmingham and finishing the season as league winners.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Jan 2009, 15:02 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:31 BST

Despite being league winners, the team had been beaten in the championship final in both 2007 and 2008, but this year they beat their 2008 conquerors, Loughborough Students, 6-3 in Birmingham and dismissed Old Loughtonians 4-3 to reach Sunday's final against Reading.

Inspired by Ashley Jackson, East Grinstead had an emphatic victory over Reading, beating them 8-5 to lift the elusive championship, led by captain Scott Ashdown, who had a hat- trick of goals.

Other goals came from German international Martin Haner (three) and England international Ashley Jackson (two).

Coach Richard Organ said: "We had been put out in the final for the last two years.

"This time we came out and played really well as a squad and have done the business."

East Grinstead now go on to represent England in the European Indoor Championships, giving them a double success since they already fly the flag in the Euro Hockey League.