Check out Whitchurch's progress in Prague. Keep an eye out for match reports, scorers and maybe even some photos.

Match 1: Whitchurch HC Vs. Cardiff & UWIC HC, 28 May 2009

Result: 4-0

Scorers: Doug Young 2, Jamie Westerman, Mark Whatling

Whitchurch played Cardiff & UWIC for the 5th time this season and gained a convincing 4-0 win. The game started at a high tempo with Whitchurch taking the lead in the 6th minute through Doug Young, after good work by Alex Keating.

The lead was doubled after 11 minutes when Doug Young scored again, touching in a Ben Croxall pass.  Jamie Westerman put Whitchurch further ahead on the stroke of half time with a fierce reverse stick shot.

Cardiff & UWIC came out strongly in the second half, but Whitchurch defended well and went 4-0 after 52 minutes, when Mark Whatling scored following a quick break from defence.

Whitchurch now look forward to tomorrow’s match against Slagelse from Denmark.

Click here for the other results from the opening day

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Match 2: Whitchurch HC Vs. Slagelse HC, 29 May 2009

Result: 3-1

Scorers: Doug Young, Rhys Gowman, Laith El Khatib

Whitchurch secured their second win of the tournament, with a 3-1 victory over against Slagelse from Denmark.  This win ensures Whitchurch play in one of the promotion matches on the final day.

The first half was affected by heavy rain which slowed the pitch up and minimised Whitchurch’s fast passing game. After 26 minutes Whitchurch were awarded a penalty stroke following an infringement at a penalty corner -  alas Laith El Khatib failed to convert.  Half time arrived with the score level at 0-0. Whitchurch having had most of the play but being thwarted by the Danish goalkeeper.

Whitchurch went into a 1-0 lead after 47 minutes when Laith El Khatib scored with a fierce reverse stick shot, following an pitch length passing movement. After 56 minutes Rhys Gowman coolly rounded the goalkeeper to make the score 2-0 with a venomous shot.  Two minutes later Jamie Westerman made it 3-0 after good work by Rhys Gowman. With 5 minutes left Slagelse scored a consolation goal after a quick break. Whitchurch now need a draw or win against Wiener from Austria tomorrow to top their group.

Click here for the other results from day 2.

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Match 3: Whitchurch HC Vs. Wiener AC, 30 May 2009

Result: 4-2

Scorers: Doug Young, Neil Potter, Alex Keating, Jamie Westerman

Whitchurch, for the first time in their history, won all three of their group matches by beating Wiener from Austria 4-2, in a close match. The match was also notable with the whole of the Cardiff & UWIC squad cheering Whitchurch on, as a Whitchurch win was their only chance of playing in a promotion playoff!

Whitchurch got off to a fast start and went 1-0 up after only 2 minutes when Doug Young scored from a Jamie Westerman pass. Wiener equalised on 30 minutes, picking up a rebound off the goalkeeper’s pads. Neil Potter put Whitchurch 2-1, on 41 minutes, from a well worked penalty corner but Weiner equalised straight from the restart to make it 2-2.

Whitchurch were awarded a penalty stroke on 59 minutes, which  Alex Keating duly converted to put Whitchurch 3-2 up.  As the game entered the final 10 minutes Jamie Westerman made it 4-2 following a good run by Ben Croxall. Whitchurch finish top of their group, in convincing fashion.  Tomorrow they face Minsk from Belarus who finished second in the other pool.  The winners will take their place in the Trophy tournament next season.

Cardiff & UWIC finished second behind Whitchurch and will take on hosts Slavia Praha.  If all goes well tomorrow both Welsh sides could be promoted tomorrow.

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Match 4: Whitchurch HC Vs. RCOR Minsk, 31 May 2009 - starts 14:14 BST

Result:1-1 (4-3 APS)

Scorers: Jon Collis

Whitchurch clinched promotion to the Trophy for next season by beating Minsk from Belarus on sudden death penalty strokes in the promotion playoff. Whitchurch took the lead after 24 minutes when Jon Collis drag flicked a penalty corner into the roof of the net.

Half time arrived with the score still 1-0, after an even half with sides tired following the exertions of the previous three days games.  Minsk equalised after 54 minutes from a penalty corner.  Neither side could force a winner within normal time and the match finished 1-1.  

The match went to penalty strokes and after 5 each the score was 1-1 with only Ben Croxall scoring for Whitchurch and Iwan Williams saving three strokes. With sudden death strokes now inevitable Ben Croxall made it 2-2, Jamie Westerman levelled at 3-3 and finally Jon Collis scored to make it 4-3. Whitchurch skipper Iwan Williams put in a Captain’s performance making another vital save and giving victory to Whitchurch.

The match was notable again for the support from Cardiff & UWIC who needed Whitchurch to win in order to gain promotion themselves.  It was a great day for Welsh Hockey, with both Welsh teams promoted and for the first time, Whitchurch winning all four matches in the tournament. To cap it all, Iwan Williams was made goalkeeper of the tournament!

Check out the match highlights here