16th June 2010
Wales U18s push towards Home Nations
Last weekend, Wales Under 18 Boys took on British Colleges (under 19 age group) in Cardiff. It was a good test for Wales who had some early defending to do; Mark Brothers showed determination when marking back to intercept a goal bound pass. In the next 5' Wales failed to convert three PC's and paid the price as in the 14' British Colleges dragged a PC high into the net. Wales soon drew level through Captain George Brooker with an opportunist goal in open play in the 17'.
Wales deservedly took the lead in the 22' through Mark Brothers again from open play and settled down. They retained possession for the next few minutes before Patrick McDowell sent a long through ball to set up Matt Pacey on goal but he was unable to take the scoring opportunity.
In the second period the British Colleges put the Welsh players under pressure, with one turnover leading to a Colleges goal to draw level at 2 each. Wales again responded, pressing hard and high in the Colleges circle, when Dale Hutchinson took his chance to fire in a low shot to take the lead once more. With instructions from their Coach to retain possession the Welsh team gradually took control and ran out winners 3 -2. In a process of longer term development, the Coach took the opportunity to introduce Toby Roper from the U-16s to this level of hockey.
