Wales Suffer First Defeat But Quarter-Final Spot Secured

Action from Welsh club hockey. Pic: Hockey Wales

Action from Welsh club hockey. Pic: Hockey Wales

Wales 0 France 1 Wales saw their unbeaten World League Rd 2 record ended in a narrow defeat to France in Belfast on Tuesday. But Wales had already done enough to secure a quarter-final spot where they will face Italy on Thursday.

Wales 0 France 1

Wales saw their unbeaten World League Rd 2 record ended in a narrow defeat to France in Belfast on Tuesday.

But Wales had already done enough to secure a quarter-final spot where they will face Italy on Thursday.

Coach Zak Jones’ side had beaten France in a recent test series in Paris, but knew they were in for a tight game.

And so it proved with Blaise Rogeau’s goal on nine minutes proving enough to see France triumph and top Pool B from Wales.

Dale Hutchinson and Luke Hawker both had shots as Wales looked for the leveller while David Kettle made several saves in the Welsh goal.

Wales had begun their World League Rd 2 campaign with a victory over Poland before beating Scotland in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw

Related News

Wales' Jonny Clayton celebrates after winning. Pic. Alamy

The Ferret Digs in . . . Jonny Clayton Proves he Can Play Through the Pain

Jonny Clayton insists he has learned to battle through the pain barrier when gout strikes after limping his way to a dominant victory on night six of the Premier League Darts in Nottingham.

David Parsons | Mar 13, 2026
Rosie Eccles. Pic. Alamy

Rosie Eccles Ends Olympic Dream . . . But Will Fight for Wales at Commonwealth Games

Rosie Eccles has decided to step away from the GB Boxing World Class Programme and will not chase qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

David Williams | Mar 06, 2026
Luke Littler (L) shakes the hand of Johnny Clayton (R). Pic. Alamy

Jonny Was Good . . . But Luke Littler was Something Special in Cardiff

The roar that greeted Jonny Clayton inside the Utilita Arena Cardiff suggested Welsh darts fans believed this might finally be his night.

Paul Jones | Mar 06, 2026
Jonny Clayton. Pic. Alamy

The Ferret and The Ice Man Hope to Bring a Welsh Duel to the Boil in Cardiff

Jonny Clayton admits he has no idea who the Cardiff crowd would side with if he and Gerwyn Price set up an all-Welsh final on Premier League night five.

Gareth James | Mar 05, 2026
Glamorgan Cricket. Pic. Alamy

Glamorgan Call off Oman Tour as Dan Cherry Outlines Safety Concerns

Glamorgan have abandoned their pre-season trip to Oman with chief executive Dan Cherry making it clear that events in the Middle East left the club with little alternative.

David Williams | Mar 05, 2026
Mark Williams. Pic. Alamy

Triple Blow as Mark Williams, Jak Jones and Jackson Page are Sent Packing from the Welsh Open

Welsh hopes at the 2026 Welsh Open were extinguished in a single evening as Mark Williams, Jak Jones and Jackson Page all crashed out on Thursday.

Gareth James | Feb 27, 2026