Ulster Hockey’s U19 Boys had a successful trip when they travelled to Cardiff over the Easter Weekend.
The 16-man squad took part in a three-match series against Wales and came out on top as they won all three fixtures.
The first game of the trip got underway on Friday, shortly after the squad arrived in the nation’s capital.
It was the travelling Ulster side who took an early lead in match one as Sam McMillan opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the tie.
From there the young Ulster side showed their quality as they added four more goals with Ben Law, Mark Eames and James Evans (2) also getting their names on the scoresheet.
Despite Wales finding a goal of their own, they were unable to find a route back into the game as the visiting Ulster side ran out 5-1 winners.
Ulster U19 squad at the National Sports Centre of Wales
On matchday two it was Wales who struck first as they opened the scoring early in the first quarter but Ulster once again showed their quality in the fixture.
Goals from James Evans, Sam McMillan, Ben Law and Mark Eames turned the game around and saw our U19s seal a 4-1 win to make it two wins from two in the series.
The third and final game saw Wales take the lead early in the first quarter before Banbridge’s James Evans drew Ulster level from the penalty spot.
With the sides level until half time, we took the lead early in the third quarter as Ben Law scored from a penalty corner, but the lead wouldn’t last long as Wales drew level once more.
However, two late goals from Mark Cuddy and Matthew Spence gave Ulster a 4-2 lead in the dying stages of the game which our hosts were unable to come back from.
