Chix Do the Double!!!!

The Tornados Chix achieved the double in only their second season with a last-gasp penalty flick from the leading scorer Gemma Thomas.

The Dutch Mex played a strong game throughout and the Tornados owe much to their solid defence, who have conceded only 6 goals in the league and just 8 in all competitions this season. The Tornados found it hard to step into their rhythm, but their teamwork and self-belief were strong enough to see them go into half time 1-0 up, thanks to a short-corner goal from Gemma Thomas on 30 minutes.

The second half was certainly a thriller for the crowds, if not for the hockey purists, as the two teams doggedly fought out a scrappy but fast-paced game. The Dutch dominated midfield and eventually pulled back a goal to make it 1-1. With 15 minutes to go the Tornados finally found their form and were able to put a sustained amount of pressure on the Dutch defence. Micha Weiss came close to a fairy-tale finish when, with just seconds left on the clock, she took the ball past 3 defenders and hit a reverse stick strike just wide of the left post.

However, the score at the end of normal time remained 1-1, and so the teams went into sudden-death golden goal extra time. The Tornados carried forward their momentum and pressured the Dutch goal from the start. With 5 minutes gone their efforts were rewarded with a penalty-flick. Gemma Thomas stepped up to fire the ball into the top left corner for her 15th goal of the season, leaving the keeper stranded and claiming the Division 1 Cup for the Tornados Hockey Club.