HELEN Richardson-Walsh and Alex Danson hit the target as England Women become European championships on Sunday, writes Dave Wright.

The Reading Hockey Club stars both scored in the penalty shoot to earn 3-1 win against world and Olympic champions Holland after the final had ended 2-2 following two late England goals.

A delighted Richardson-Walsh said: "To be two goals down in a final against anybody then come back is brilliant. But to do it against a side like the Dutch is absolutely amazing and it shows what a good side we are."

England, led by Reading's Kate Richardson-Walsh, were on the back foot for much of the final, played in front of a noisy 5,000 crowd at Lee Valley with many thousands more watching on BBC2.

They had not beaten the girls in orange since 2003, when Kate scored the winner, and England would have shipped more than the two Caia van Maasakker penalty corner goals had it not been for the brilliance of keeper Maddie Hinch, who kept all out but two of Holland's 22 attempts at goal.

It was not until the final quarter when England got in a decent shot a goal, and that came from a Danson with a reversed stick shot that the keeper did well to push aside.

"Even when we were two goals in the last quarter we were telling each other there was still time to pull the game around," added Helen.

And England's perseverance paid off as Sophie Bray and Lily Owsley netted in quick succession to bring the scores level.

So the European title had to be decided in penalty shuffles with five players from each team having eight seconds to score after starting from the 23-metre line.

Helen gave England the lead, but with a penalty stroke after she had been fouled by the Dutch keeper, Joyce Sombroek.

"I don't usually like going first and my legs were a little bit wobbly, but I was confident as I felt I had made some good touches in the game," she said.

"I knew she (keeper) fouled me straight away and even if the umpire had not given it straight away I would have referred it (to video umpire). I was then happy to take the stroke."

Holcombe keeper Hinch kept her side in front by stopping Holland's first attempt and Danson made it 2-0 which then became 3-0 thanks to Hinch again and a Bray goal.

Georgie Twigg failed for England, but more heroics by Hinch sealed England's first European title since 1991.

Kate said that England had also worked thoroughly on penalty shuffles during their training sessions at Bisham Abbey.

"When it went to shuffles I was supremely confident we would win," said the England captain.

"Every week a group of eight or 10 in the squad practised, even working with the men's team, practising different techniques.

"They also looked at videos and Maddie had done their homework and knew what each of the takers would do, and Maddie executed it brilliantly today."

The keeper was undoubtedly England's player of the match, but the player of the tournament vote went to Danson, who was their top scorer with four goals, with three of them coming in the 4-1 win over Germany in their final group game last Wednesday. In the process, she took her tally to 50 England goals.

Another Reading player, Susie Gilbert, was also among the gold medallists, while Emily Maguire was in the Scottish team that finished sixth of the eight teams.

However, there was a disappointment for England men - who included Reading's Dan Shingles - as they failed to earn a medal after a surprise 4-2 defeat by Ireland in the play-off for third place. But the bronze medallists did include another Reading player, John Jackson.

Reading HC launch their new season this weekend.

Starting at Saturday mid-day, there are matches for the Veterans and Rustlers teams before the women's 1st XI take on Clifton in a friendly and that will be followed by trials for the ladies and men's teams.

On Sunday morning, starting at 9am, there will be trials for all ages, boys and girls, from under-6 up to under-18s.

Then from 2pm the men's first team will be involved in a triangular tournament against Gymkhana Hockey and Surbiton.

They Gymkhana squad is expected to include the club's former keeper Simon Mason, who is now president of England Hockey Board and was part of the BBC's commentary team at the European Championships.

More details of the weekend can be found on the Reading HC website.