Canterbury Hockey Club star Susannah Townsend helped guide England’s women to bronze at the Commonwealth Games.

Sophie Bray was England’s hero as they won their sixth consecutive Commonwealth Games medal, securing bronze with a crushing victory over India.

The Kampong forward scored a 13-minute hat-trick – including an outrageous 43rd minute effort from the edge of the circle –while also pulling off two brilliant blocks on the line from penalty corners.

Having struggled for rhythm early on – with former Holcombe keeper Maddie Hinch making a number of crucial saves – England produced a second half masterclass, with Laura Unsworth and Alex Danson also finding the net late on after Hollie Pearne-Webb opened the scoring shortly before half-time.

That result gave Team England their 100th medal of Gold Coast 2018 while also ensuring this is the 10th consecutive year the women have medalled at a major tournament as England or Great Britain.

There was still time for her to turn provider as well as she set up captain Alex Danson for England’s sixth to cap off an imperious performance, one which will provide them with the perfect platform to build on ahead of this summer’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup.

England Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Ansley, Balsdon, Toman, Pearne-Webb, Unsworth, Haycroft, Townsend, Watton, Bray, Danson (C)

Subs: Tennant (GK), Petty, Lane, Defroand, Martin, Hunter, Rayer