Holcombe picked up their first EuroHockey Club Trophy win in a dominant performance over Dinamo-COP Moscomsport.

The Russians took an early lead with a ball across goal being put in on the far post as Welsh international goalkeeper Rose Thomas was left stranded.

Moscomsport threatened more early on but then Holcombe began to find their stride, not before a crucial piece of defending from Alice Wills put an end to a dangerous looking attack.

Pippa Lewis came close to an equaliser with five minutes left to play in the first quarter as she fired just wide of the post with a forehand strike following a good move to break into the circle.

It took until the thirteenth minute for Holcombe to create another chance but then they came like London buses. Dirkie Chamberlain first had an effort ruled out for a foot as the ball was played across the face of goal, before Sofia Viarengo equalised for the Trophy’s hosts around thirty seconds later.

A long pass into the circle was turned goal bound by Viarengo and beat the goalkeeper, dribbling into the bottom corner.

The sides went in at the first two minute break on level terms after Viarengo’s finish, with Holcombe beginning to show their quality.

Kentish Holcombe – coached by Leigh Maasdorp – were the more dangerous-looking side in the second quarter too, and their pressure paid off with a minute to go in the period.

The hosts first squandered a good chance from Viarengo’s cross before a good save was forced from Thomas from Moscomsport at a penalty corner.

Maasdorp’s side couldn’t make the most of their two minute man advantage after a green card was issued before eventually scoring through Hattie Jones – though the Russian side could have been level less than a minute later.

New Zealander Jones found the net as she tipped in Chamberlain’s strike on the far post, before Moscomsport won a penalty corner almost immediately after the re-start, with only a superb save from Thomas denying them an equaliser.

Thomas dived to her right to deny a top-corner bound drag flick, allowing Holcombe to go into the half-time break leading and thus on their way to a crucial five points after the University College Dublin’s 5-1 win over Edinburgh University earlier in the day.

A quick succession of goals in the third quarter meant that the points were all but secured after three strikes in six minutes from Leah Wilkinson, Emma Trunks and then captain Steph Elliott.

Wilkinson’s goal came just one minute into the third quarter from a penalty corner as Trunks’ slapped effort was deflected home by the Welsh captain.

Elliott’s 37th-minute goal killed any hopes of a Moscomsport comeback and they were tiring quickly with just eleven outfield players in their travelling party.

Another penalty corner routine saw a deflection move the ball goal bound but it was stopped illegally on the line – hitting the body of the defender.

A penalty stroke was awarded and former Great Britain international Elliott made no mistake from the spot.

Moscomsport did, however, almost pull one back before the end of the third period with a crucial tackle from Lewis denying an almost certain goal with the Moscomsport forward looking to move the ball onto her reverse from close range.

Some robust challenges saw tempers begin to flare slightly though Holcombe almost increased their lead to five with the last action of the quarter.

Wilkinson again slid in at a penalty corner as Trunks hit the ball towards goal – though the deflection took the ball wide of the target.

Maasdorp’s side knew that the game was over heading into the final period but still pushed forward looking to get further ahead, with Wilkinson again forcing a good save just two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Just a minute later though, Moscomsport reduced the lead to three goals.

Some lapse concentration allowed the forward to escape defenders’ attentions and thus receive the ball in the circle, followed by a desperate challenge by Trunks as she tried to make up ground on the advancing striker. A penalty stroke was awarded and no mistake was made from the spot, with Thomas well-beaten despite diving the right way.

The goal looked as though it should have been disallowed – a point which Holcombe players made to the umpire – though it stood and meant Holcombe finish the day second in Pool A behind UCD on goal difference.

A drag flick attempt saw Moscomsport net their second goal, though the stick is supposed to start on the ball at a stroke with a shorter run-up.

Holcombe looked to restore their four goal advantage late on but couldn’t manage it – despite Moscomsport finishing the game with nine players after two late yellow cards.

It remains a positive result for Holcombe – although they now have to better UCD’s result tomorrow to get themselves a place in the final, with both sides currently sat on seven points after yesterday’s draw.

Edinburgh University and Moscomsport need huge results over Holcombe and UCD respectively on day three to have any chance of reaching the EuroHockey Club Trophy Final.