HOCKEY: Loyal Leisa King put club before family to help Ipswich Ladies win the EHA Cup. Instead of attending her brother Gary's wedding in America, she was rattling in a couple of goals as the Tuddenham Road side beat Sutton Coldfield in the semi-final.

By Martin White

LOYAL Leisa King put club before family to help Ipswich Ladies win the EHA Cup.

Instead of attending her brother Gary's wedding in America, she was rattling in a couple of goals as the Tuddenham Road side beat Sutton Coldfield in the semi-final.

The following day she scored all three as Olton and West Warwicks were beaten in extra time to give her brother a belated wedding present.

"I was really upset to miss Gary's wedding," said the 29-year-old captain, "and it was a very difficult decision to make, but he was pretty good about it."

King had even bought her airline ticket, but put her club first when she realised the dates clashed, although she still has plans to visit him and his wife in the near future.

Coach Sandie Lister was delighted with the whole team in what has proved her first trophy in her current role.

"I was so pleased with everybody, especially after the sort of league season we've had," she said.

"It puts us into the end-of-season play-offs and if we win them we will once again qualify for Europe."

In the meantime, Ipswich still have two league matches left, starting tomorrow at home to fellow strugglers, Hightown.

Added Lister: "With our goal difference, I would settle for one win from our last two games to see us safe from the relegation play-offs, but hopefully we can come out top in both of them."

Jo Thompson is available after missing the cup final, King is enjoying a fine scoring run while Ipswich have a strong short corner technique which can also be relied upon and Hightown's England goalkeeper, Carolyn Reid, could be in for a tough time.