Cullen at the double as Leicester claim Cup victory

CRISTA Cullen continued her free-scoring form as Leicester claimed the 2010 English Women's Hockey Cup.

CHAMPION FEELING: A jubilant Leicester celebrate winning the Women’s Cup at Highfields Sports Club in Nottingham (James Boardman)

Cullen - who netted twice for Great Britain in their midweek win over Germany - grabbed another double as her club side held off a determined fightback from rivals Reading.

With 15 members of Danny Kelly's international set-up spread across both teams, this was a high quality affair. It was Cullen who shone, denying Reading a chance to make amends for last year's final defeat to Bowdon Hightown.

Leicester - who were captained by Jennie Bimson in the final match of her career - took the lead in the 20th minute and Cullen added another, again from a penalty corner, shortly before half-time. 

Helen Richardson's penalty stroke gave Reading renewed heart in the second half but Leicester held firm for the victory, which will go some way to making up for the disappointment of losing the England Hockey League play-offs to Slough two weeks ago.

"I always believed we could win," said Leicester coach Chris Mayer.  

"We have such a great group of girls and I'm really pleased for them. 

"To go unbeaten in the league was fantastic and the most pleasing thing was to play some great attacking hockey.  We bounced back well after the big disappointment of the play-offs."

Bimson, who was part of the Great Britain team at the Beijing Olympics, added: "I'm absolutely delighted. It has been a long season - ten months from pre-season to here - but all worth it. I'm sad to be ending my career but it's great to finish on a high."