A HAT-TRICK from Warrington Water Polo’s Hazel Musgrove fired England to a Commonwealth Water Polo Championships gold medal in Aberdeen.

Despite a dominant performance from England, they had to avoid some last minute pressure to beat Canada 10-9 in the final.

England took the lead through Musgrove but two goals from Canada put them ahead. However, there was enough time in the quarter for Musgrove to score her second and England’s third.

England were looking for revenge after being beaten by Canada in the preliminary rounds and started to gather momentum in the second quarter, racing to a 6-3 lead on the strike of half-time.

Despite an early Canadian goal in the second half, the English team continued to gather momentum in the third quarter scoring a quick double to strengthen England's lead to four goals.

As England tried to kill the game, they left gaps at the back which allowed Canada through to score a fifth. England won a penalty before the end of the third quarter which was converted to make it 9-5.

Victory was all but secured early in the fourth as Musgrove scored her third to give England a 10-5 lead.

There was tension in the closing stages though, with five minutes remaining Canada were given hope thanks to a quick-fire double to reduce England’s lead to three.

The England faithful started to get nervous as Canada found space at the back post to net their eighth.

They became even more nervous with 70 seconds left as Canada reduced the deficit to one but England held on to claim the gold.