Wales Bounce Czechs To Cash In For Top Three Placing

Wales beat the top ranked Czech Republic 3-0 in Vilnius to bag a place in the next round of the Hockey Open Series.

Only the top three teams in the five-sided tournament make it through to the next phase in 2019 and after losing 1-0 to the Ukraine the Welsh side needed to be at their best against a Czech side ranked seven places above Wales in the world at 19^th.

But goals from Joanne Westwood and Phoebe Richards, both from penalty corners in the 17^th and 34^th minutes, set Wales on their way to a famous victory.

Beth Bingham’s penalty stroke hit the back of the net two minutes later to complete the victory.

The Czechs had laid down a marker in their opening game against Turkey by hammering home seven goals and a day later they beat Lithuania 4-2 to underline their pedigree. But they were no match for Wales in the end.

The triumph for Leah Wilkinson’s side means they cannot now be caught for a top three place and will go into today’s final fixture against host nations Lithuania with a chance of finishing in second place.