We are grateful to Richard & Karen Moon, and Charlie & Gina Rathbone for these reports and for their photographs from the matches v Wales. We can all be very proud of our boys.

Sam and Chris played in the first and second matches, while Jack played in the 2nd and 4th quarter of the second match and the 1st and 3rd quarter of the third match on Sunday.

Jack kept a clean sheet in the 4-0 win on Saturday with a couple of good saves especially one from a short corner, the Welsh corner routine being pretty good the previous night. Sam was part of the defence, who seemed to rotate positions as well as personnel. He made a number of important interceptions clearing up across the back. Chris played midfield in both of his games, and actually scored two goals (contrary to SHU report!), both of which were captured by the photographer. The first was a dive from a cross in front of goal, the second a straight strike at a short corner (very similar to the one last week against Dunfermline). It was the only corner he was striking for so he’s claiming 100% success rate!

The final match in the Scotland v Wales under 18s resulted in a 5-2 victory for Scotland. The first quarter was balanced with both sides making good running play and scoring chances. Jack managed to keep a clean sheet with two good saves. The second quarter saw Wales equalise before Scotland took a 2-1 lead just before. The third quarter provided some intense pressure by Wales who were awarded a penalty flick through a dubious decision. Jack got a foot to it but again Wales had equalised 2-2. Jack then made a good "double save" keeping Scotland's
heads up. Scotland then scored just before the end of the third quarter restoring their lead. In the final quarter Scotland defended with vigour against a very determined Wales side but Scotland managed to find inner reserves to dominate the final 10 minutes and score two more to win the match 5-2 and the three match series 2-0.

It will be a tough job for the coaches to decide who remains in the squad when they cut it from 24 to 18 sometime in June before the European U-18 Championships.

Photos can be seen in a dedicated album on our club website
http://www.gordonianshockey.com/photos/our-scotland-u18-boys-internationals-805575.html

Professional photos can be viewed using these mps website links:

Chris’s diving goal makes it 2-0 Scotland
https://mpsphotography.smugmug.com/Hockey/Scotland-v-Wales-U1618-Boys/i-K2KJJk6/A

Sam on the ball
https://mpsphotography.smugmug.com/Hockey/Scotland-v-Wales-U1618-Boys/i-3d6nP5g/A

Chris’s corner goal makes it 3-0 Scotland
https://mpsphotography.smugmug.com/Hockey/Scotland-v-Wales-U1618-Boys/i-sZPmZtV/A

Jack saves
https://mpsphotography.smugmug.com/Hockey/Scotland-v-Wales-U1618-Boys/i-LtX9JCX/A