Test matches v France (Wales Senior Women)
Cardiff, 27/29 August 2010
Wales Senior Women take on France in a 3-match test series at Cardiff.
Day 1: Friday 27th July
Wales 2 France 0
In the first of their three match series, Wales started stronger than their Gallic opponents and were content to play the ball round the back, waiting for the right moment before releasing to their forwards. They didn't have to wait too long before their patience paid off with Alys Brooks opening the scoring for the hosts after 14'. Wales continued to apply pressure but a determined French defence kept the score down to just the one goal at the break.
The match followed a similar path in the second half and although both teams were reduced in numbers due to a spate of yellow cards in the last 15', a last minute penalty corner follow-up from Abi Welsford sealed the victory.
Day 2: Saturday 28th July
Wales 3 France 1
A game of four converted penalty corners settled the second match in favour of Wales. The visitors opened the scoring right on halftime when Margaux de Galzain slid the ball home to take an interval lead. France came close to increasing their lead but a number of excellent saves from Maggs Rees in the Welsh goal kept the hosts in the game.
Wales were not to be outdone however as two goals in 4 minutes, early in the second half, from Louise Pugh-Bevan and Leah Wilkinson rested the initiative back in favour of Wales. Yellow cards were again much in evidence in the last 20 minutes but another penalty corner from Emma Batten after 60' saw her team home to seal the series win.
Day 3: Sunday 29th July
Wales 0 France 1
A very even final match between the two teams ended a little disappointingly for the host team with France recording their only victory of the weekend with a 67' penalty corner through their Captain, Emilie Begue. Both teams seem to cancel each other out with goal scoring opportunities few and far between but those chances that were created were well saved by the two goalkeepers who were both in excellent form. Wales can be well satisfied with their weekends work and now look forward to their remaining test matches against Scotland in Sterling before departing for New Delhi.
August's News Competitions 2009/10 2010 Senior Women's squad
