READING Hockey Club trio Kate Richardson-Walsh, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Alex Danson all played as Great Britain stunned favourites Holland to win gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
After a tense 3-3 draw, Team GB claimed victory 2-0 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out thanks to goalkeeping heroics from Maddie Hinch.
Helen Richardson-Walsh, who scored and missed in the shoot-out, said: “It’s difficult to put into words what this means.
“17 years ago, when I started my career, we were so far off this.
“It has taken so much hard work and it means absolutely everything”
Her wife, Kate Richardson-Walsh, who now retires from international duty after captaining the side for 13 years, added: “To win an Olympic medal is special.
“To win an Olympic medal with your wife there next to you, taking a penalty in the pressure moments is so special.
“We will cherish this for the rest of our lives.”
Great Britain women, seeking a first ever hockey gold medal, got off to the perfect start thanks to Lily Owsley’s tap-in and Hinch’s penalty stroke save from Maartje Paumen.
But the tide was turned when Kitty van Male and Paumen put the Dutch in front.
Paumen netted again, either side of Crista Cullen and Nicola White equalisers to send the game to penalties.
Both sides missed early opportunities, including Helen Richardson-Walsh and Danson, but Helen stepped back up to put GB 1-0 up before Hollie Webb sealed the win.