South Hams England hockey international Giselle Ansley has been celebrating after helping the England wom­en’s hockey team to a stunning victory over the reigning Olympic and world champions the Netherlands writes Tim Leigh.

Playing in the Euro­Hockey Champion­ships final at the Olympic Park, London, Giselle and her colleagues recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, before holding their nerve to win the subsequent shootout 3-1 and claim the trophy.

The result capped a perfect tournament for the former Kingsbridge Community College and Dartmouth Hockey Club star, as she was rewarded with a bouquet of flowers after the pool game against Germany in recognition of her 50th cap.

The result means Giselle now adds a European gold to her European silver from two years ago, a Com­monwealth silver medal last year and gold from the World League Series Semi-Final tournament in Valencia, Spain, this summer.

Giselle’s long-term goal, though, is un­doubtedly the fast-approaching Rio 2016 Olympics, but before that she will be hoping to retain her place in the England squad for the World League Se­ries Final tournament in Argentina in Nov­ember.