LIONESSES WITH STICKS

England win hockey gold and the ‘Ashes’ with victory over the Aussies

- NEIL SQUIRES

THE shirts stayed on this time – but England’s women’s hockey team had their own glorious Lionesses moment yesterday.

They beat Australia 2-1 to claim Commonwealth Games gold for the first time.

Second-quarter goals from Holly Hunt and Tess Howard, both created by the outstanding Flora Peel, stunned the tournament favourites and although Rosie Malone pulled one back 19 seconds from time, it was too little too late.

A week on from Wembley - and after a pre-match good luck video message from Lionesses captain Leah Williamson - it was another memorable triumph for a team in white on a mission.

There was even a chorus of, “hockey’s coming home” from the ecstatic crowd at the University of Birmingham as England ran down the clock in the corner.