Cullen starts new season with a hat-trick

by Patrick Rowley (19.9.2009)

Tine Cullen, the former England striker, took champions Bowdon Hightown straight to the top of the womens England Hockey League, with a 3-0 away win at Clifton on day one of the season.

Cullen scored all three goals, scoring twice in the first half and completing her hat-trick with a penalty stroke conversion in the last
minute.

Her goals took her all time total to 329, over a 100 more than Jane Smith and 2000 more than all but two other players.

Smith, another veteran, failed to score for Slough despite Slough forcing 10 penalty corners against promoted Reading.

Reading, without four of their newly signed internationals, eked out a 3-1 win, with goals by Becky Odlin and Vicky Bryant (2).

Birmingham University, the other promoted side, also won their first premier game, beating Brooklands Poynton 3-2 with two goals by
promising Sophie Bray.

Other first day winners were Leicester and Olton.

New men’s champions East Grinstead start their campaign away at once impregnable Cannock today (2.30).

copy for Sunday Express 20.9.2009