WALES women’s hockey captain Abi Welsford was pleased with her side’s defensive display in their opening game defeat to England.

The skipper from Newport was happy to keep the score to 2-0, having lost 8-0 to the English only a few weeks ago.

“Obviously we played them not so long ago in the London Cup when we didn’t perform quite so well so the focus today was on a strong defensive display,” said Welsford.

“We’re a lot happier coming off the pitch than we were a couple of weeks ago.”

Wales face group favourites Australia tomorrow before taking on Scotland and Malaysia and the captain is optimistic that the team can progress.

“Goal difference in the first two games is very important and then the focus in the last two games will change and hopefully we’ll get a better outcome,” she said.

“There was a bit of tension in the changing room beforehand because it is a bit different to normal but I think everyone focused on their own jobs and performed well.”

Welsford, who was joined in the Wales squad by fellow Newport girl Sophie Clayton and Croesyceiliog School pupil Danielle Jordan, says the players handled the occasion of playing in front of the Queen superbly.

“I was at Delhi four years ago but this being so close to home, with a lot of support, made it bigger,” she said.

“The Queen being here as well was amazing but we focused on our game plan and our tactics and let everything else take care of itself.”