A CUMBRIAN hockey star at the Paris Olympics 2024 has made it to the quarter-finals.

Fiona Crackles and Team GB's women's hockey side beat the USA 5-2 on Thursday to ensure their spot in the knockout round before their final group game in Pool B on Saturday.

Crackles, who is 24-years-old and originally from Kirkby Lonsdale, is making her second appearance at the Olympics, with the victory giving her and Team GB a chance to at least reclaim their bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

The contest on Thursday started as a topsy-turvy affair but ended with Great Britain in complete control.

Sophie Hamilton put them ahead early on in the match before the USA's Abigail Tamer found the equaliser.

Can Fiona add to Team GB's growing medal tally?Can Fiona add to Team GB's growing medal tally? (Image: Martini)

However, two goals from Tess Howard in the second quarter gave GB a lead they would not relinquish, despite a second goal from Tamer just before half-time.

After the break, goals from Hannah French and Sarah Jones within four minutes of each meant that it became a controlled performance for GB at a games that has not been complete plain sailing so far.

Defeats against Spain and Australia in their first two matches had alarm bells ringing, but now back-to-back victories - including a win against South Africa - means the team can start preparing for the quarter finals that begin on Monday, August 5.

Before that, they take on Argentina on Saturday, who have also already qualified for the next phase of the competition.

GB have won a medal at the past three Olympics, including gold in Rio eight years ago, in between bronzes in London and Tokyo.

Crackles will be hoping to add to what is an already impressive trophy cabinet by steering GB further into the tournament with the whole of Cumbria sure to be cheering her on.