Leicester end long wait for national indoor title

LEICESTER ended a 32-year wait for a women's national indoor hockey title as they stunned Slough with a penalty strokes victory in Nottingham.

CHAMPIONS: Leicester women celebrate after beating Slough on penalty strokes after an exciting 2-2 draw in the final of the women’s National Indoor Hockey Championships at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham (Ady Kerry/England Hockey)

Jane Smith had put last year's beaten finalists and the 14-time champions ahead in the fourth minute before Leicester's in-form Rebecca Herbert netted a double to put her side in control.

Alex Scott, who had seen a regulation time penalty saved by Maddie Hinch, levelled it in the closing stages but her elation turned to devastation as she missed the decisive penalty  shoot-out.

"It's unbelievable," said Leicester goalie Hinch.  

"We came in as the underdogs.  We played a defensive style against Canterbury in the semis but we played with much more attacking emphasis in the final. 

"Throughout the game you got the feeling we could actually do it - and we did."

Leicester coach Andy Fairbrother admitted his side felt the pressure of their long run without an indoor title while Herbert was named player of the tournament.

"It feels great," she said. "In the past we've had a history of being relegated so we really didn't expect to win." 

Meanwhile, Slough coach Mike Williamson admitted he was left rueing a succession of missed opportunities.

"We had our chances, enough to win, but we didn't take them," he said.  

"It was very disappointing because when we played them in the league we took them and won."

Joanna Leigh's brace and further strikes from Sophie Hawkins, Anna Toman and Alice Sharp helped Belper win the girl's under-18 club title with a 5-0 victory over Beeston.

Alice Pyrgos and Becky van Berkel scored doubles as Trojans also beat Beeston 7-3 to win the under-16 title.