A Sussex college have tasted national glory at the first attempt.

Park College (Eastbourne), who only formed the team this season, lifted the England and Wales Sixth Form and Tertiary Colleges Cup at Bedford.

They defeated holders Havant in the final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory.

Coach Caroline Petty praised her giant-killers.

She said: "I am so proud of them. Havant were the reigning holders and a big hockey college. They looked the part in their posh gear, while half of my team hadn't even played hockey before this season and our kit wasn't that grand.

"I know a couple of the Havant players and there is no question they fancied that they could beat us.

"I must admit that when we got to the finals I thought that was a great achievement in itself as it was our debut.

"But my side has reached the county cup final and were unbeaten going in. They have a tremendous team spirit. They are a very together bunch and that made it easier to motivate them.

"Before the final, Havant must have wondered 'who are those ragamuffins'. It's quite satisfying the way things turned out.

"We started a mixed team last season and hope we can complete a national double with them."

The side featured three sisters, 17-year-old twins Shemane and Sabreena Murtagh, plus Sharlene, 16, who played crucial roles.

The team sealed victory 2-1 in the shoot-out after the match finished 2-2.

Shemane, who had scored five goals in the semi-finals, netted twice in normal time before Havant equalised 25 seconds from the end.

Sabreena, 31 seconds older than her twin, eased nerves by slotting home the first of the penalties and goalkeeper, Sharlene saved four out of five spot-kicks.

Hot-shot Shemane said: "I'm really proud. The Murtaghs did okay and so did the rest of the team "Sharlene did phenomenally well. Havant had the England under-18s goalkeeper (Sarah Ellis) but she couldn't save as many as our Sharlene. "

Sabreena revealed she had a plan as she stepped up against Ellis.

She said: "It was so nerve-wracking. I didn't want to flick it. I intended to go for the bottom lefthand corner and push it as hard as I could. It worked and she was gutted. Shemane and I played well together. She's much better than me but we have a good understanding.

"It's brought about by playing together for so long rather than a twins instinct. My sisters won it for us but, I suppose, I helped scoring first in the shoot-out.

"They (Havant) thought they were going to walk all over us. We were rated the underdogs and are only a small college but we won it in style."

Petty added: "The Murtagh sisters, who all play for Sussex, were vital to us, but everyone did well."

Dave Williams , sports development teacher, added: "It's great for the girls and great for the college. The sisters are quite remarkable."

Joelle Morley was Park's other scorer as they overcame St George V College (Ludworth) 6-2 in the semi-finals.

Park College squad: Sharlene Murtagh, Alex Deery, Sarah Smith, Alice Wright, Hannah Collins, Shemane Murtagh, Sarah Ivemy, Rachel Cherriman, Kalli Taylor, Joelle Morley, Gemma Peacock.