IDENTICAL twins Frances and Christina Houslop helped England lift the European Under-18s Trophy.

The 17-year-old Horsted Keynes sisters guided their country to a gold medal with a series of impressive displays in Lyon, France.

Sweeper Frances captained the side and striker Christina scored one goal and made another

The Ardingly College pupils were praised for their role in the triumph by manager David Passmore who is based at East Grinstead.

Passmore said: "They played big parts in our success. "Frances was outstanding, one of the class players of the whole tournament. I selected her as captain because she leads by example and she certainly did. She was inspirational, a good motivator and is following in the footsteps of Kath Johnson, who plays for Britain's Olympic team in the way she is so tough and aggressive. She and Christina are two of the three fittest players in the side and the third is a pentathlete! Christina showed her pace and movement off the ball and took her goal well. She's ten times the player she was a year ago.

"Together, the telepathy came in with Frances and Christina in. They both know where the other was without looking. I've got identical twins myself and you get to notice these things."

The Houslops were delighted.

Frances, who also led England to the Home Countries title recently, said: "I felt so proud captain my country. It certainly makes winning a little extra special. It's been a new experience that I've enjoyed.

Christina celebrated the success with her sister with the rest of their family this week and believes she has improved.

She said: "I don't know about ten times, but I've got better through coaching, hard work, commitment and tournament experience."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.