European joy for Cullen

Hockey

Hockey

Tina Cullen scored both goals for Hightown in their 2-1 victory against Berliner in Rotterdam yesterday to take the European Cup-Winners' Cup for the first time, writes Bill Colwill.

The Merseyside club weathered strong first-half pressure from the German side, but when Yana Williams crossed after good work down the right, Cullen was on hand to open the scoring in the 51st minute. Her second goal came 11 minutes later and although Berliner pulled one back with a penalty stroke, Hightown hung on.

In The Hague, Guildford took the bronze, coming from behind against Spain's Aldeasa Valdeluz to win 4-2. After Antonio Iglesias had given Valdeluz the lead in the ninth minute, Guildford struck back with Don Williams and Danny Hall to put them ahead after 25 minutes.

Although Valdeluz equalised just before the interval, two second-half goals at penalty corners from the player-coach, Ian Jennings, saw the Surrey side home to their first European medal.

In the final, after a 2-2 draw, Durkheimer from Germany took the title, beating the host Dutch club, HDM, 3-2 in a penalty stroke shoot-out.