Grace Balsdon, left, and Lucy Hyams, who were members of the England Under-16 hockey squad which won the Home Nations Tournament

Grace Balsdon and Lucy Hyams, both pupils at Canterbury’s Kent College, helped the England hockey Under-16 girls’ team take the gold medal at the Home Nations tournament at Inverclyde.

With victories against Wales 5-3, Ireland 1-0, and Scotland 4-0, England finished the tournament undefeated.

They opened with the defeat of Wales after a tough encounter in which England led 4-1 at the break, only for the Welsh to stage a fightback.

The second day saw the girls hold out for victory against a strong Irish side.

Going into the final game, England had six points and Scotland four.

England started well, dominating possession and passing the ball confidently to create a number of chances but they had to wait until the 32nd minute to open the scoring when Balsdon found Jo Leigh who scored.

England produced their best hockey in the second half with Leigh netting a second goal two minutes after the break.

With confidence high, goals from Sophie Crosley in the 59th minute and Emily Court from a 64th-minute corner secured a deserved 4-0 win.