21st September 2009
Wales Over 55 ('Vintage Masters') Versailles, France - September 2009
Wales and England crowned unofficial joint 55+ Euro Champions
The 0-0 draw with England during the 2009 British Tri Nations tournament event staged in Edinburgh encouraged Wales to accept an invitation to an inaugural European Over 55s ('Vintage Masters) International event being hosted by Racing Club de France in Versailles, just outside Paris. The English organiser (David Gill, Chelmsford) hoped to promote European international competition for the 'Vintage Masters and encourage French veterans to participate in European competition.
The setting for this event turned out to be magnificent... spacious woodlands, new water based artificial pitch and a splendid golf clubhouse for the Saturday night function. The weather was warm and breezy, the hotels comfortable and affordable. A great time was enjoyed by the three mens teams that were there (England & Wales Over 55s and France Over 40s). The ladies event was supported by England and France. It was a pity that there were not more nations present.
Four of the Welsh squad from Edinburgh were unavailable and three more were injured (including skipper Ian Johnson). So it was an untested team that took the field against England. Martin Kavanagh was given the captaincy. Wales adopted a flexible 3-1-3-3 formation which required our forwards to press the English backs and our midfield to tightly engage their English counterparts (a perceived strength). Chris Harness, Roy Grafton and David Sykes rotated and blended to cover the English left flank while Phil Bond was responsible to cover and sweep as required. Sykes in his baptism into the Over 55s did any job asked of him. Chris Parry put up stoic defence of the English right threat, with Bond sweeping behind him.
Ian Johnsons plan worked well and with his strong vocal encouragement Wales kept their defensive shape throughout the first half. Periodic thrusts down the Welsh right flank (Ian Towler & Bernie Wheeler) posed a real threat as did Nigel Sanchez in the centre who hit the post on one occasion. Bruce Perkins injection of speed and tackling back on the left flank limited was vital in limiting English time on the ball. The midfield quartet of Peter Havlin, Ben Johnson, Kavanagh (all Over 60) and Wheeler covered the park well. Kavanaghs, huge reach and tenacious vociferous encouragement cemented a powerful wall of defiance to the English attack that was mentally and physically challenged by the co-ordination displayed. Havlin responding repeatedly to forceful English thrusts. On those occasions when England did penetrate the Welsh defence... several well timed tackles by Bond and some important stops by goalkeeper Alun Morgan, including an impressive deflection over the bar, proved crucial. Wales's best chances in a goalless first half came from a simple short corner routine which brought two good saves from the English keeper and filled the minds of the goal line defenders. Half time 0-0.
During the third quarter England brought their left side more into the action, which provided the Welsh right flank opportunities to counter. However, after 15 minutes the English centre forward evaded two tackles and scored the opening goal with a fierce shot. England then pressed hard for 5 minutes, a period of desperate welsh tackles and considerable effort.
Then came the turning point... one of the sporadic Welsh counter attacks down the right generated a short corner and the hit out from Towler was hammered home by Kavanagh. Welsh spirits rose and the last 15 minutes followed a familiar pattern of English pressure, Welsh counter attacks and tremendous efforts from both sides. On two occasions, following quick breaks from the half way line, Sanchez managed to create one on one opportunities with the keeper. Though disappointed not to have scored, Sanchez's breaks took the pressure off the Welsh defence (giving us time to draw breath) and forced the English backs to cover large distances, which dented their ambition and forward incursions. At the final whistle both sides acknowledged an enjoyable and hard fought game played in good spirit.
During the tournament dinner on Saturday night members of the French team were surprised to learn how much hockey was being played at Over 50s level in other parts of Europe and Australasia. We were somewhat alarmed at their lack of grey hair.
The next morning the first veterans international between Wales and France (Over 40s; 'Les Gauloise') proved to be a difficult task for our small and rather tired squad. Wales were unfortunate to concede a 'goal after 5 minutes when a short corner strike at waist height was allowed.
France then dominated play for 10 minutes, which culminated in them scoring an intricate goal involving several players. More French pressure followed as the welsh midfield found it difficult to match the pace of their younger opponents. However as the French backs began to push up, so opportunities appeared for counter attacks, particularly through Towler (right) and Sanchez (centre). One of these led to a short corner and a strike by Wheeler was deflected into the net by Ben Johnson. Wales enjoyed their best spell in the match for the next 15 minutes, matching French pace with effort and good support play. Unfortunately just before half time we succumbed to another swift break. Half time score 1-3.
Early in the second half after two more French goals, Perkinss hard work on the left flank proved too much for an old hamstring injury and skipper Ian Johnson risked his back injury for a spell on the left wing. This sparked a brief rally which culminated in Wheeler scoring Waless second goal following tight control in the circle. Wales had a few more chances before the end and the final score of 7-2 was a little unkind.
Although well beaten, Wales enjoyed this first encounter with France and had the satisfaction of realising we had made them work hard. An hour and a half later England Over 55s beat the French side by the odd goal... and England once again commended us for our effort.
The trophy established for competition between European Over 55 teams (donated by 'Dogger Banks) was awarded jointly to Wales and England... which makes us joint European Champions... albeit unofficial??
Alun Morgan was made Player of the Tournament, having played well for Wales and guested for both the French mens and ladies teams. David Sykes and Jane Wheeler were much appreciated for their umpiring in other tournament games.
This tournament deserves to grow, so that others can enjoy the magnificent facilities and hospitality of Racing Club de France.
To play England twice in a season and get a result both times is significant. Welsh Hockey can be extremely proud of the teams effort in Versailles, which confirmed we have depth at the 'Vintage Master' level. Skipper Ian Johnson has some cracking memories of France and the difficult decision of who to select next time.
Results
England Over 55: 1; Wales Over 55 1 (Kavanagh)
France Over 40: 7; Wales Over 55: 2 (Johnson B; Wheeler)
International Squad
Ian Johnson* (Captain; Leominster), Alun Morgan (Swansea Bay), Roy Grafton (Epsom), Phil Bond (Chester), Chris Parry (Rhyl), Chris Harness (Denbigh), Bernie Wheeler (Pembrokeshire), Martin Kavanagh (St Albans), Peter Havlin (St Albans), Ian Towler (Chelmsford), Nigel Sanchez (Abergavenny), Bruce Perkins (Army) and Ben Johnson (Manager; Aberiginals & AGSFPs). * did not play against England
