DUNFERMLINE Reign’s senior women are bouncing with joy after netting an historic league and cup double last Saturday.

The team, led by player-coach Catherine Millar, added to their Lothian League triumph by lifting the Lothian League Cup thanks to an exciting 53-46 win over Edinburgh Lions in the final at St Columba’s High School.

It is the first time that Reign’s female side have won either trophy and they are hopeful that their success can be the springboard for further glory and inspire more women to take up the sport.

With courtside packed to cheer them on, Reign trailed at the end of the first quarter 19-15 but came back in the second, taking it 18-5 to lead 33-24 at half-time.

The game swung from end-to-end and, after the Lions roared back to lead by a point at the end of the third period, a tense finish was assured.

But, playing some great team basketball, Reign dominated the final quarter and executed some big plays to take it 15-5 and ensure the victory.

Millar, who stepped up to coach the team at the start of the season, told Press Sport: “It has only just sunk in I think!

“We kind of started the season not thinking so much about winning but about the challenge and enjoying the season so to win the league and the cup is a bonus.

“Our last coach moved on so we sat down to discuss things and the players put me forward. I was a bit hesitant at first because they were my team-mates and friends but they have made it a lot easier.

“They’ve done really well. The game was so exciting and I’m glad it went our way.

“There was a feeling of relief at the end and I was glad for the girls. You could tell beforehand that they were nervous so I was buzzing.

“We’d only played that team (Lions) once so I said that we were going into it a bit blind. They were winning 7-0 at the start, which gave us a bit of a fright, but we came back and kept it close throughout.

“We’ve been pushing the women’s side for so long but we’ve been waiting for a moment to show ourselves off.

“It’s a deserved success.”

Player Laura Kirk, who helps run women’s social basketball sessions at the club, added: “It took us a wee bit of time to get into it but it was a good result and a real team effort.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in that we’ve done the double!”