Old Loughtonians Under-18 Girls were in sparkling form at Essex University on Saturday as they were crowned East Indoor champions and booked a place at the EHB National Finals.

In their first match, Loughts recorded a 7-2 win over Ipswich, who finished the day as East runners-up and also qualified for the finals.

The girls started well and quick thinking by Alice Wills gave Loughts an early lead which she doubled shortly after from the spot.

Emily Holmes and Hannah Bloy extended the lead to 4-1 by half time and the pair both added one more to their tally in the second half before Ali Duning rounded off the win.

In the next match, Loughts played Sevenoaks and a brace from Holmes and Wills plus efforts from Dunning and Bloy produced a comfortable 6-1 win.

Bishop's Stortford also struggled to cope as Loughts ran riot in an 11-0 victory. Dunning converted two short corners with powerful drags, Wills scored a brilliant solo effort, Bloy claimed a hat-trick and Holmes finished the game with five goals.

A 5-1 win in the final game against old rivals Harleston Magpies, who were also unbeaten, was enough to secure a place at the National Finals.

Wills again gave the girls an early lead before Bloy and Holmes extended the advantage before the break and Holmes completed her hat-trick in the second half.

The National Finals take place at Whitgift School on January 18 and 19.

Old Loughtonians: Abi Ashford; Chloe Menear; Lucia Corry; Lily Ghandi; Ali Dunning; Alice Wills; Hannah Bloy, Emily Holmes.