England started their life as European Box Lacrosse Champions with two wins and a loss in their three games at the annual E-Box Invitational in Prague, Czech Republic this weekend.
A huge 24-3 victory over Norway, in which captain Tom Roche scored his first international goal, was followed by a narrow 13-8 defeat to Germany, who England famously beat to win the European Championship last summer.
On the final day of the competition, England bounced back with a 14-5 win over Switzerland to send the travelling fans home happy.
A squad filled with 10 England debutants mixed with several European Champions and England stalwarts travelled to LCC Radotín in Prague for England’s first competitive matches since the victory over Germany in the 2022 European Championship final almost nine months ago.
And they started with intent defeating Norway in spectacular fashion with Ben Page-Laycock, who was injured for a large chunk of last summer’s Championship, showing his hunger grabbing five goals and Ben Buchanan and Dave Groves, both European Champions, hitting four each.
The day belonged to England captain Tom Roche, however, who hit his first goal in an England shirt at the 28th time of asking.
On day two, England came up against a Germany side who had something to prove and came into the game off the back of a demolition of Czech Republic on day one.
A tough start that saw Germany go 5-0 up after 11 minutes gave England everything to do in the remaining three quarters and despite their best efforts, including braces from Buchanan, Groves, and Elliot Leonard, they fell to a narrow defeat.
Day three was England’s chance to bounce back against a Switzerland side who finished sixth at the 2022 European Box Lacrosse Championship last year.
England started in a steady manner but their undoubted quality shone through and another blistering performance from Page-Laycock, who added another five goals to his tally, ensured a comfortable 14-5 victory.
Watch all the games on LCC Radotín’s YouTube channel HERE.
England 24-3 Norway
England scorers: Ben Page-Laycock 5, Ben Buchanan 4, Dave Groves 4, Elliot Leonard 3, Silas Burke 2, Tom Roper, George Dury, Jude Krommenhoek, Jacob Nichols Cook, Sam Perry, Tom Roche
England 8-13 Germany
England scorers: Ben Buchanan 2, Dave Groves 2, Elliot Leonard 2, Sam Perry, Will Walker
England 14-5 Switzerland
England scorers: Ben Page-Laycock 5, Will Walker 2, Ben Buchanan, Silas Burke, Dave Groves, Jude Krommenhoek, Elliot Leonard, Sam Perry, Tom Roper
