Nine goal hammering puts Hermes in pole position

Hermes’ destiny is in their own hands as they smashed host club Rottweis Wettingen 9-0 in Switzerland today to head their EuroHockey Champion’s Trophy group on goal difference after two games.

Former Irish international Linda Caulfield started the rout in the ninth minute with her first of four goals on the day and, from there, the Dubliners never looked back.

Aoife Harte deflected home a penalty corner before teenage sensation Chloe Watkins’ spectacular first time volley made it three on the 20 minute mark.

Caulfield and Christine Quinlan added corner goals to build up a 5-0 lead by the interval. Jenny Burke added a pair after the break with Caulfield completed her personal tally, once again from two switched corner moves.

Glasgow Western’s 2-2 draw with Belarus’ Ritm Grodno means Hermes need just a point from their game to advance to the final.

They lie top of their group ahead of Grodno – who they play in the final game of the group stages – by virtue of a vastly superior goal difference.

The Belarusian’s, though, will be no pushovers, showing a zest for the physical side of the game, picking up multiple sin-binnings in both their group games to date.

Group B Results:
Hermes 9 (Linda Caulfield 4, Jenny Burke 2, Christine Quinlan, Chloe Watkins, Aoife Harte) Rottweiss Wettingen 0; Ritm Grodno 2 Glasgow Western 2

Group B Standings (points/goal difference):
1. Hermes 4pts (+9) 2. Ritm Grodno 4pts (+4) 3. Glasgow Western 2pts (0) 4. Rottweiss Wettingen (-13)

Fixtures:
Glasgow Western vs Rottweiss Wettingen, 1pm; Hermes vs Ritm Grodno, 3pm