WGMA EUROPEAN TROPHY (MEN 60+)
Braxgata Hockey Club, Boom, Belgium, 2nd to 5th June 2010
8th May 2010
Wales Over 60s at the World Grand Masters Euro Trophy
Wales team - Belgium European Grand Masters June 2010
Top (left to right): Martin Kavanagh, Peter Havlin, Alan Coles, Chris Hills, Richard Harbottle, Roger Willis, Dave Ferguson, Ben Johnson, Ian Towler.
Bottom (left to right): Chris Parry, Ernie Britain-Dodd, Martin Day, Glyn Thomas, Tony Nicholas.
On the Thursday morning, after an evenly contested match, England LX(A) were awarded a penalty flick in the last minute but Glyn Thomas rose to the occasion, bringing off a sharp reflex save and providing Wales with their first point of the tournament. It was also the third successive occasion that England LX(A) had been unable to beat Wales, having lost to them previously in Lilleshall, November 2009, and in Telford, June 2008.
Two hours later and Italy were the next opponents. Wales had beaten them 1-0 in Amstelveen in August 2009 but, on this occasion, Italy turned the tables with a similar 1-0 win, a well-worked goal that was the highlight of an otherwise uninspiring match.
On Friday morning the opponents were the Nederlands, an imposing side who were joint tournament favourites with England LX. Wales defended stubbornly and played well but the superior technique and fitness of the Dutch eventually told and they ran out 3-0 winners.
Germany, another top quality side, were the Friday afternoon opposition and Wales took the game to them in the first half, playing the better hockey and disconcerting their opponents. Against the run of play, though, Germany took the lead from a short corner and after that they gained in confidence, running out eventual 3-0 winners. It was a good performance, however, from Wales, who could also, with sharper finishing, have scored two or three goals themselves.
On the Saturday, Wales found themselves facing Scotland in the play-off and went behind in the second half to a short corner. However, with five minutes left, after increasing Welsh pressure, Martin Kavanagh converted a short corner when his shot was deflected in off a Scottish stick and the game ended in a draw. The resulting penalty stroke competition went the way of Wales, who comfortably claimed ninth place with a 4-2 score – scorers were Tony Nicholas, Richard Harbottle, Chris Hills and Ben Johnson.
Grand Masters Pool B Results
| Thur 3 June | England LX(A) | Wales | 0 | 0 |
| Wales | Italy | 0 | 1 | |
| Fri 4 June | Wales | Netherlands | 0 | 3 |
| Germany | Wales | 3 | 0 | |
| Sat 5 June | Scottish Thistles | Wales | 1 | 1 |
