OWAIN Dolan-Gray is excited to pit his wits against some of the best players in the world at next month’s Commonwealth Games, writes Jack Johnson.

The 27-year-old, who coaches Wallingford’s men’s 1st and 2nd teams, has been selected as part of Wales’s squad for the championships, which take place on the Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4-15.

It will be Dolan-Gray’s second Games after competing in Glasgow four years ago.

Wales have been drawn in Pool B with India, Malaysia, Pakistan and England.

Dolan-Gray, who plays for Reading in the National League Premier Division, is looking forward to the test.

He said: “I feel very honoured to be in the team and to be a custodian of the shirt for another Commonwealth Games.

“We’re really excited – we can do something special.”

Dolan-Gray, who helped his country secure promotion to the eight-nation A Division of the EuroHockey Championship in 2017, added: “We have a bit of a point to prove.

“We’re definitely an up and coming nation.

“I’m one of the senior players, but we have a competition for every place and this is the first time we’ve had a group of 30 players and a lot of the boys were disappointed to be missing out.

“That makes it more special to be in the squad, because you have to earn it.”

With plummeting temperatures causing postponements to the fixtures list in this country recently, the weather should not be a problem on the Gold Coast, where it averaged 28C this week.

But the forward, who teaches PE at the Abbey School in Reading, will be no stranger to the heat.

He said: “I spent a season playing out in Sydney in 2012, so I know their style.

“I kind of know what to expect, but it’s an incredible experience.”

Dolan-Gray has been coaching Wallingford, who play in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional 1 of the South League, during midweek since the start of the season.

While it took the side until February to record their first win, he has been pleased with their progress.

He said: “I have really enjoyed it, it’s a really great bunch of players.

“They’ve played some really good hockey.

“We’re finally on the turn. I’ve been very happy with our attacking play.”

Meanwhile, Wallingford’s men were beaten 3-2 by Marlow at home in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional 1 of the South League on Saturday.

Tim Chamberlain and Rich Hawson scored for the hosts.

Wallingford ladies made it back-to-back wins for the first time since November when beating Oxford 3rd 2-0.

Charlotte Satchwell gave the hosts an early lead in the Trysports Three Counties League Premier 1 encounter.

Wallingford were denied a second goal when Philippa Morris’s effort was disallowed.

But Sasha Withers-Green fired home in the second half to make sure of victory and keep them third in the table.

OTHER RESULTS

Men: Henley 3rd 1, Wallingford 2nd 1 (M Leaney); Wallingford 3rd 4 (P Flavell 2, N Henry 2), Aylesbury 3rd 1; Sonning 1, Wallingford 4th 7, Wallingford 5th 2 (N Thompson, K Shaw), Reading Rovers 2.

Ladies: Wallingford 2nd 3 (F Brown 2, C Passau), Reading Rockets 3; Phoenix & Ranelagh 2nd 5, Wallingford 3rd 2 (L May, A Lissenden); Wallingford 4th 7 (E Seymour 3, A Clements, B Bell, M Alexander, H Wood), South Bucks 1.