A trio of hockey players from the region will head to the other side of the earth in a couple of weeks to compete in the Masters World Cup.
Wrexham Glyndwr’s Steph Bradley is joined by Meinir Thomas (pictured below) and Jude Pyves in making the trip, with the trio set to compete at the tournament for Wales Over-55s.
Bradley said: “For Jude and I, it is our debut World Cup having been capped for Wales earlier in the year at the Four Nations in Germany in July. Meinir has represented Wales at Masters since 2018.”
Bradley, who previously played her hockey with Ruthin, Wokingham, Tamworth and Atherstone, is no stranger to the international scene.
The owner of equestrian centre Whitegate Farm Livery & Training Centre, in Hope, she represented Wales in dressage back in August.
Competing on her horse, Beau, she took part in the Home Nations event.
“I’ve represented (Wales) at dressage every year since 2011,” she added.
“To represent Wales at two sports is a dual honour – and I never dreamed I would represent internationally!”
Earlier this week, Wales conducted their final training session ahead of the trip to New Zealand.
During the get-together in South Wales, the players were able to finalise their set moves under coach Dave Roberts and World Cup manager Olwen Edwards.
Thomas is a teacher, who is based on Anglesey, and turns out for Bangor Hockey Club as well as also playing football for Amlwch Town Ladies.
Meanwhile, Pyves is a teacher at Rydal Penrhos and plays for Eirias Hockey Club.
The Masters World Cup schedule will get underway for Wales Over-55s on November 8.
In a tough looking pool, Wales have been joined by Canada, Argentina and England.
It will be the latest instalment of a 40-year hockey career for Bradley, who is also a coach developer with Sport Wales.
In North West League action, Wrexham Glyndwr lost out 5-1 in their meeting with Bowdon thirds.
This followed on from a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Bolton.
Wrexham arrived with only nine players, as a number of the team members were in South Africa representing Wales at the Masters World Cup.
As Bolton pushed hard, Wrexham held their ground with Emily Preston and Amy Jones reading the game well and intercepting plenty of passes.
Wrexham had a few chances on goal and Cara Puvogel’s strike from a short corner handed them the lead.
The lack of a full team started to show in the second half, as Wrexham began flagging.
Bolton had plenty of attempts on goal, but great defending from Ellis Lloyd-Jones and Rach Warrenger kept them out until the closing quarter-of-an-hour.
Bolton scored twice to turn things around. Wrexham’s player of the match was Amy Jones.
Also in Division Two South, Northop Hall lost out 3-1 at City of Manchester.
In Division Five West (South) of the men’s league, Wrexham Glyndwr were pipped 5-4 in a thriller at Bebington seconds.
There was better fortune for Northop Hall seconds with their 1-0 triumph against Eirias thirds.
Hall’s first team defeated Bolton 5-1 in their latest Division Three South outing.
