U-18 FOUR NATIONS (BOYS)
Cork (IRL), 17-19 July 2010
England
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Day 1: Saturday 17 July 2010
Wales opened this game by pressing high and hard on the English defence determined to stop any rhythm being built up. It was Wales who came close with a well worked and patient move from back to front. Freddie Campbell was released by the backs who then found George Brooker who drove right, round the English defence before releasing a shot high towards the goal only to see a reaction save from the goal keeper.
Wales continued in this vein until the 27' when a move broke down on the Welsh left and England reacted quickly and methodically transferring the ball for the left winger to score with a diving deflection past Kyriakides and Roblin in goal. Just before half time a PC was deflected by the English to make the score 2 -0. In the second half a nightmare period of 9 minutes saw the English extend to 5 -0 with open play goals. However in the last 15 minutes it was the Welsh who took command and controlled the whole pitch coming close on several occasions but not quite getting the breakthrough they deserved. Overall a good performance especially from the younger players recently brought into the squad for this tournament.
| 12:00 | England | 5 | Wales | 0 |
| 14:00 | Ireland | 4 | Scotland | 2 |
Day 2: Sunday 18 July 2010
The second day of the tournament saw a determined Wales team take the field against Scotland. A very tactical start to the game eventually led to a Sam Forman goal in 13' from a cross from Matt Pacey. From a PC rebound Freddie Campbell picked up his first goal in the 34' which was followed by the most bizarre period of time seen on a hockey pitch. Both teams had been told by their respective coaches to ensure that no goals were scored against them should they be 2 up/down before half time. The Scottish defenders saw this as an opportunity to play keep ball with no challenges from the Welsh forwards. In the second half Wales again were determined to contain and control which they did successfully. In the 53' Jack Carr broke free from the challenge of three Scottish players and charged at the Scottish goal before timing a pass for Freddie Campbell to score his second. Wales then had a PC which Rhys Davies dragged wide of the goal for Matt Pacey to deflect past the Scottish defence. In the dying minutes a tackle by the Welsh defence on their own 25m was passed to Rhys Davies on the half way line who turned and quickly released Matt Pacey who outstripped the defence, rounded the goal keeper and slammed a reverse hit into the goal for his second and Wales fifth. A truly magnificent and deserved win for a hard working Welsh side that never stopped running.
| 12:00 | Scotland | 0 | Wales | 5 |
| 14:00 | Ireland | 2 | England | 1 |
Day 3: Monday 19 July 2010
The final day saw Ireland with the best chance to win the tournament and Wales an exceptional outside chance to win in the final match of the day. Wales again determined not to allow any opportunity for the Irish to penetrate kept them at bay until the 21' when Roblin was adjudged to have upended an Irish forward and had a penalty stroke awarded against him. This was duly despatched by Irelands
O'Donoghue
but there were no more opportunities for the Irish in the first half. However in the 41' again the same Irish player broke clear and shot past Roblin to claim the highest scorer of the tournament indeed he was to score his hat trick in the 59 minute before the scoring stopped at 4 -0 to the Irish. Although disappointed with the result the overall feeling within the Welsh camp was that the job had been successful, several young players had experienced this level of competition, 5 goals had been scored and great defence work had been displayed that could be a platform for the future.
| 09:00 | Scotland | 0 | England | 5 |
| 13:00 | Ireland | 4 | Wales | 0 |
Final positions
1st: Ireland (9 pts)
2nd:England (6 pts)
3rd:Wales (3 pts)
4th:Scotland (0 pts)
