The England Senior team, having secured a place in the 2003 World A Group Championship, have been working hard to ensure they stay up in the top group of World Roller Hockey.

As part of the preparations the team played in the St Omer Invitational Tournament on the weekend achieving 2nd place, with the home team winning their event.

“Our first game was a 2-0 victory over the German Under 20’s team” said Steve Taylor, “our second match later on Saturday was a 2-2 draw with the German Senior team (a key rival) in a hard fought match that demonstrated the growing character of the England Squad.”

Having acquitted themselves well on the first day of the event, England team faced the French Premier clubs Merinyac RHC and St Omer RHC on the Sunday.

“We scored the first goal against Merinyac but finished the first half of a very difficult match 3-1 down.” said Steve. In a display of character that demonstrated the England teams character and discipline they pilled on the pressure to level the match 3-3 late in the second half and then scored a magnificent penalty, taken by Junior Captain James Taylor, to take the match 4-3.

Later in the day the German Senior team beat Merinyac RHC in a fierce match, that gave greater confidence to England’s World Championship ambitions and secured the team a minimum 2nd place in the Tournament.

England’s final match against the St Omer RHC was effectively the final and proved a great spectacle against a very strong home side that eventually won the match 4-2.

With England achieving 2nd place, ahead of rivals Germany who placed 3rd, the team has gained greater confidence and developed more experience in competition that is key to meeting the challenges that lay ahead in their World Championship campaign.

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Reporter: Kos Galtos