England women 5 – Wales women 1

Wales’ women’s hockey team have two days of rest following their defeat to a strong England side at the Commonwealth Games.

The Welsh team, who caused an upset when they beat world number 10 India in their opening match, were defeated 5-1 by England, who are ranked the second-best team in the world, in their second game.

Wales’ next opponents are South Africa, who they play early on Monday morning, having faced games on consecutive days to start the tournament.

Forward Phoebe Richards, from Knighton, again impressed for Wales while 19-year-old defender Delyth Thomas, from Llanfihangel Nant Bran, made her first start of the tournament. The former Brecon Hockey Club player had been used as a substitute against India.

Wales appeared to claw their way back into this Pool A clash with a goal in the third period having trailed 2-0 at half-time.

Unfortunately Wales then suffered a blow when captain Leah Wilkinson was accidentally headbutted by her opposite number Alex Danson halfway throughout the third quarter.

With Wilkinson out of the game Wales suffered and the English took advantage scoring three goals in the final quarter. Hannah Martin restored England’s two goal advantage with an impressive looping shot. Sophie Bray added a fourth while England’s fifth goal came from their fifth goal scorer Grace Balsdon, with a little over 30 seconds left to play.

Giselle Ansely had opened the scoring on the 22nd minute and it took just two minutes for Susannah Townsend to add a second.

Wales, who are ranked 26th in the world, did come out of the game with credit however, having steadied the ship after falling behind to two second quarter goals and showed attacking intent as well as frustrating England’s attack for long periods.

The second half saw Wales start out strongly, lashing out some firm and fast attacks from Phoebe Richards and Eloise Laity.

One of those attacks paid off for Laity after she found space on the right-hand side of Maddie Hinch and capitalised with an excellent first goal for Wales which she whipped in from wide right. Richards, from Knighton, was closing in on the far side of the goal and appeared to have tapped the ball in but the goal was finally awarded to Laity, the daughter of former Cardiff RFC centre Colin.

Wales face South Africa on Monday 9, April 9 at 05:30am UK time. The game can be viewed live via BBC Sport Wales or BBC Sport.