Final Training weekend before Celtic Cup
Saturday 20th/21st: the senior squad had their final training weekend in Reading. A tough day on Saturday 20th, with a fitness test to start the day, followed by basic skills and pattern play sessions to get the squad into shape. Lunch was followed by the squad watching the Lions play their first test match. During the afternoon session the squad polished their short corner routines and developed further patterns in their play. The session ended in good spirit, and the guys looking forward to playing an England team in Bisham Abbey on Sunday.
Sunday morning the focus was again on pattern play with groups split between defenders and attackers. After lunch Wales played an England eleven, with the game starting with Wales attaching the England defence – however in the 3rd minute England scored with their first attack. Wales continued to attack the English and were rewarded in the 8th minute with a swift flowing move between Joe and Huw which was coolly finished by a reverse stick shot by Joe. In the 24th minute Rick converted Wales’s first short corner, which Lewis gained by a clever move in the English circle. Half time score 2-1.
As expected the English side come out at in the second half at a fast pace and pressed the Welsh side. The English scored after a soft turn-over in the Welsh defence to level the score. England then took the lead shortly after. Wales worked hard to find the equaliser but their efforts were in vain. Final score 2-3.
Comments: a positive weekend after the GB Super league when the Welsh side leaked goals against the English teams. The Squad for the Celtic cup was announced and all are looking forward to competing with the Scots, Irish and French, the former two also being in Wrexham for the EuroNations.
