The European Nations Trophy is taking place in Wrexham all this week with Wales and Scotland amongst the teams taking part. Our News Blog will bring updates of the progress of the tournament but yesterday our own Susan Edghill was in Wrexham and brings us this report on the opening day's play:
At the European Nations Trophy being hosted by Wrexham in North Wales, Wales took the honours in their first match, beating Scotland by 4-2.
Scotland took a very early lead through HC Barcelona player Fergus Dunn in a move which caught the Welsh defence napping. The Scots continued to press and were unlucky not to extend their lead. A mistake in the Scottish defence on 23 minutes put the Welsh in and they scored through Rhys Joyce (pictured). A penalty corner to the Scots was saved by East Grinstead goalkeeper George Harris. Wales broke away and should have scored but Surbiton's Andy Cornick put it well over the top of Great Britain keeper Ali McGregor to keep the score at 1-1 at half time.
In the second half Wales were awarded two penalty corners in quick succession and they were both converted by Southgate's Rick Gay, one down low and one up high of McGregor, who will have been disappointed not to save either of them. 3-1 to Wales.
Scotland continued to press and two yellow cards to University of Birmingham's Nick Rees and Reading's Huw Jones, soon after each other, put pressure on the Welsh defence once more. But they held out well and when Reading's Joyce converted a penalty stroke to make it 4-2 in the 66th minute it was all over and Wales had a great start to their competition.
On Sunday, Wales and the Czech Republic fought out a 1-1 draw whilst Ireland took the Italians apart in a 10-2 win.
