MEN AND WOMEN’S WELSH EUROPEAN QUALIFIER
WIS Cardiff, 16-17 May 2009
DAY 1: Saturday 16 May 2009
| 14:00 | Cardiff University | W/O | Swansea Bay | ||
| 16.00 | Penarth Ladies | 2 | Cardiff Athletic Ladies | 0 | |
Penarth Ladies confirmed their place in the Euro Qualifying tournament final against Howadian with a hard fought victory over Cardiff Athletic. Despite having recorded two convincing victories over Athletic in the league this season, Penarth left their shooting sticks at home and found it difficult to break down a determined defence. Although Athletic's forwards only pressurised their opposition occasionally they must still have felt the game was theirs for the taking up until 54' when Dona Williams took on and beat a number of defenders before rounding the goalkeeper to give the 'Seasiders' the lead. Cardiff still stuck to their task but Cat Morgan's goal with 8' left gave Penarth a 2-0 victory.
Following Swansea Bay's late withdrawal, Cardiff University booked their own spot in tomorrows final against Cardiff & UWIC without having to play.
DAY 2: Sunday 17 May 2009
| 14.00 | Cardiff & UWIC Men | 2 | Cardiff University Men | 1 | |
| 16.00 | Howardian Ladies | 0 | Penarth Ladies | 2 | |
In two very close encounters it was Cardiff & UWIC and Penarth who took the honours and claimed the two EuroHockey spots on offer.
Cardiff & UWIC seemed to have the measure of Cardiff University when they took a 2-0 lead after just 14' through goals from Mark Ramage (pc) and Robin Lovegrove. However the University's apparant lack of match practice did not stop them from pulling a goal back just before the break following a quick passing move when Will Thomson slipped the ball home with the goalkeeper well beaten. The University kept up the pressure in the second half and came close to pulling level on a number of occasions but they could not find the final touch which would have taken the game into extra time to leave Cardiff & UWIC victorious by 2-1.
With both Penarth and Howardians league encounters having been decided by only 1 goal it was no surprise that the Ladies match was also extremely close. Both clubs came close to opening the scoring and 'Howards' may regret not taking full advantage when Penarth were reduced to 9 players just before the break. With little to choose between them it was always likely that one mistake could prove to be vital and so it proved when after 64' a quick break from Penarth and a number of missed tackles enabled Bridie Davies to slot home. Try as they might, Howardian's could not find the equaliser and after themselves having been reduced to 9 players, it was Penarth's Rachel Baker who confirmed the win when scoring in the final minute .