Test matches v France (Wales Senior Women)
Cardiff, 27/29 August 2010
Wales Senior Women take on France in a 3-match test series at Cardiff.
Day 1: Friday 27th July
Wales 2 France 0
In the first of their 3 test series against France, Wales seemed to be more confident than their Gallic opponents in the opening exchanges and were very patient playing the ball around in their own 25m area, waiting for the right moment before releasing the ball. With 70% of the game being played in the opposition half a deserved goal after 14’ from Alys Brooks only went to enhance her growing reputation. On her return to international duty, Emma Batten came close to increasing the lead after 21’ but a good save kept the lead down to just the 1 goal at the break.
France came back at Wales early in the second period but some strong tackling and good passing from the home side kept the lead intact. With a number of yellow cards issued in the last 15' both teams were shorthanded at various times and a number of Welsh short corners came and went without success. That is until the last minute of the game when Abi Welsford forced the ball home from close range following a breakdown to give the hosts a deserved 2-0 victory
Day 2: Saturday 28th July
Wales 3 France 1
The second match was proceeded by a presentation to Leah Wilkinson upon obtaining her 50th Cap during the recent World Cup Qualifying tournanment.
In a lively opening with France seeming to be a little sharper than their hosts, Wales missed a chance to open the scoring after just 6' when a penalty corner strike narrowly went the wrong side of the post. This seemed to be the story of the half with a number of chances created but Wales being unable to convert them into goals. Maggs Rees was called into action after 21' following a Welsh error with the French striker being allowed a free shot from the top of the circle. Rees however confortably dealt with the shot and the danger passed. However 'Les Bleues' were not to be denied and a penalty corner right on half time saw the ball being passed back to the injector, de Galzain whose shot went high into the net.
The setback to Wales seemed to spur the French on, certainly in the first few minutes after the break and they came very close to increasing their lead. However two penalty corner goals in 4 minutes from Louise Pugh-Bevan and Leah Wilkinson brought the home side right back into the match. Ths led to sharper exchanges between the two sides with mistakes creeping in which made the match all the more enjoyable for the good sized crowd. It was Wales who sealed their second win in two days when yet another penalty corner shot was deflected in by Emma Batten after 60'. Four yellow cards at varying intervals during the last 15 minutes (3 French) again left them short but despite forcing a number of penalty corners themselves could not reduce the deficit.
Day 3: Sunday 29th July
Wales 0 France 1
The final match in the 3 test series proved to be the closest with the visitors gaining their only victory of the weekend through a converted penalty corner in the last few minutes.
Early pressure from Wales put the French on the backfoot but the final touch seemed to be missing leaving a number of chances going begging. France themselves came close to opening their account but solid defensive work by the home team kept their goal intact at half time.
Wales were unable to convert 4 penalty corners although the number of unforced errors were reduced and the pace was quickened. France however seemed to match this during the second half and although they were awarded only one penalty corner, this they converted after 67' through their Captain, Emily Begue to run out winners.
August's News Competitions 2009/10 2010 Senior Women's squad
