12th April 2010
GB Super League for Men
In keeping with the concept of the GBSL, Wales gave a host of players a taste of the higher standard of hockey that the competition affords, with that longer term view of identifying GB potential.
Peter Swainson took on the captain’s role as the most experience player in the side. The average of the squad was 23 with the youngest at 19 years. Eleven players were under the age of 25 and new to the event were Huw Stevens (Canterbury), Andy Siemann (Deeside Ramblers), Nils Lloyd Penny (Birmingham University), Rhys Gowman (Whitchurch) and Mark Bateman (Brooklands).
The Celtic Panthers had 2 matches; the first against the Saxon Tigers going down 3-0. The score line does not give the true picture, the inexperienced squad performed well in the first half coming in all square at 0-0 but lapses of application in short periods of the games were punished.
In the second match again against Pennine Pumas, Panthers competed and levelled at 1-1 but conceded a further 5 when again our mistakes were severely punished. This was a tough lesson for the new players in particular but on a positive note all had their moments. The squad travels to Scotland for the remaining 2 matches next week-end.
