8th August 2009
Wales Bronzed
Wales Senior Men played some exquisite hockey to take the bronze medal on the final day of the EuroNations Trophy at Wrexham. In a purple 3 minutes midway through he first half, first Ben Croxall then Ben Edge put Wales 2 up. The second goal was a deflected shot from a Rufus McNaught-Barrington centre to finish off a 14 pass move. The Czechs responded just before half time to narrow the gap. In the second half Wales were imperious with Rick Gay flashing in a penalty corner on 49 minutes. Enterprising movement up from Cornish, Ruxton and co led to a penalty corner coolly dispatched by Rhys Joyce who has now tripled his goal tally coming into the tournament. Another successful short corner conversation from Gay rounded off a great day for Wales. The Czechs pulled a goal back but too late to impact on the game. So 5-2 for Wales and a bronze to celebrate. This should be enough to secure a Commonwealth Games birth alongside the Women in New Dehli next year
In a tussle for the Gold, Ireland triumphed against Russia in a fast flowing, high octane game 2-1. Earlier Scotland took 5th spot with a 2-1 win over Belarus which then relegated Italy with Switzerland, in spite of the Italian’s 2-1 victory over the Swiss at the start of the Day.
The competition, its organisation and presentation was hailed by Martin Gothridge, the EHF President as an unqualified success. The Mayor of Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths AM, Professor Kate Sullivan from Glyndwr and Alan Watkin from the Wrexham Borough Council were naturally delighted that has helped to put Wrexham firmly on the international hockey map.
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