THREE Cirencester U12 girls' hockey teams stole the show at the latest seven-a-side festival hosted at Cheltenham Ladies College.

For many years the Gloucestershire Hockey Association (GHA) has been running a monthly girls’ tournament attracting around 20 teams from established clubs such as Cirencester, Worcester, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The competition provides a great opportunity for county and divisional selectors to assess up-and-coming junior talent.

And Cirencester U12s are fast earning the reputation of being the most feared hockey side in the region.

In the 14 games played, the three teams – Griffins, Phoenix and Unicorns – won 10, drew three and lost just one.

They scored 38 goals and were superb defensively, with goalkeepers Isobel Stewart and Lily Robinson playing through the festival and keeping an impressive nine clean sheets.

The top scorer in the junior section, Jess Stephens added four more goals, while the festival's top striker was Holly Poole who found the net seven times.

Laila Howse and Olivia Vyvyan-Robinson scored five each, with Minnie Fletcher and Poppy Tulloch each netting four times.

Goal of the festival came from Minnie with a rocket of a shot from the edge of the circle that left the keeper rooted to the spot as it flew into the top corner.

There was also a trio of hat-tricks in the 10-0 demolition of local rivals East Glos from Holly, Laila and Minnie, with the final goal a fine individual effort from guest Floss Ellen.