Marlow’s under-14 girls’ team held their nerve on Sunday to secure the Home Counties Girls under-14 Premier League hockey title.

The league is contested by 44 teams and matches are played across the course of a season before culminating in an end of the season finals day.

Marlow took the trophy in dramatic fashion as they beat Canterbury 3-2 thanks to a last minute goal.

The trophy delighted Marlow head coach Kate Porter who said: “I have had an incredible season with the girls. They have worked incredibly hard and consistently at each training session.

“This hard work really paid off in the final game of the season. Having learnt how cruel sport can be at the EH regional competition, they made sure that they played until the final whistle.

“I am just so proud of them for that and their performance this season.”

Marlow’s semi-final saw them drawn against Surbiton Colts and they made light work of their opponents with a 4-0 win. Lana Wallis, Sarah Pearce, Miranda Coombs and Luisa Northing got the goals.

The final would not be as straightforward for the girls as they fell behind early on to before Coombs equalised to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Having started the second half brightly Marlow were unfortunate to find themselves behind again to a well taken Canterbury goal.

Again though Marlow fought back and Pearce struck to make it 2-2 heading into the closing stages.

With three minutes to play Canterbury were awarded a flick which Marlow keeper Mia Lasocki did superbly to get her pads to and push around the corner.

The save proved to be pivotal moments later as Marlow swept up field to score with 30 seconds remaining and win the final.

Marlow’s winning goal owed much to the endeavour of Jemima Copeman who pressured the Canterbury defence and poked a clever pass to Pearce who finished clinically.