Finland v Wales
Finland (5) v Wales (4)
The third quarter final in the Hus Forbi Trophy saw the unbeated Welsh facing the Finnish. The scoring was open by the Finnish after they were awarded a penalty. Finland's number 7 kept his nerve to score. The young Welsh team then looked the livelier of the two teams but it was only the post that stopped them from going tow goals down. Wales were soon level as Welsh number 14 scored. The Welsh continued to push up, put some sloppy Welsh defending leads to the Finns going 2-1 up. On four minutes, the Finnish number 4 is sent off for a foul on the Welsh number 4 and the Finns are down to three men. The Welsh took full advantage of the extra man to draw level. The rest of the half is a fairly scrappy affair, but the Finns did manage to hit the bar on the stroke of half time. It's all square at half time.
The start of the second half saw the Welsh continuing to look the more lively of the two teams. The Welsh number 10 scored at the end of a well worked move to make the scores 3-2. Then the Welsh number 14 is send off for a push on the Finnish number 7 and the Welsh are now down to three men. Number 10 scores again for the Welsh after they surged forward. The extra man started to make all the difference as the Finns started to take control of the game. They soon found themselves level after two quick goals. Finland then made Wales pay for some sloppy passing and are in the lead. Finland 5 Wales 4.
The final moments of the match saw both team going close. Then in the final minute, the Welsh are awarded a penalty, but the Welsh number 9 saw his shot parried by the Finnish keeper. The Welsh Dragon's unbeaten run is at and end.
Paul Macklesworth