England’s first game on a 44 x 22mtr rink was an extremely difficult one and in the opening 5 minutes they allowed France the ball and concentrated on their own restricted man-to-man tactics. The French overcommitted themselves and England won the ball and hit them on the break with Jack Bishop coolly getting the opening goal.
The French came back at them and the team held firm but France still managed the equaliser with 5 minutes on the clock. England lost their discipline for two minutes and in that time France scored 3 more bringing half-time score to 4 – 1 to them.

The second half was physical and the pace fast. This was proved by the 8 cards to England and 5 to France. France sustained the pressure but the team held firm and their solid defence proved very annoying to the opposition.
Although England failed to score in the 2nd half they created a number of excellent counter-attacks.
France scored once more in the final moments of the game to bring the result –France 5 England 1.
Coach, Phil McVey said he was proud of all the players. They gave 100% commitment & effort and apart from the 2 minute lapse they proved they were more than a match for France.