WALLINGFORD hockey coach Owain Dolan-Gray helped Wales earn a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in their opening Pool B match at the Commonwealth Games, writes STUART WEIR.

Rupert Shipperley put the home nation ahead against a side ranked 11 places higher in the world.

But Ali Mubashar equalised from a short corner at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre.

Wales held their own throughout and Dolan-Gray, who plays for Reading in the National League Premier Division, was encouraged by the display.

The 27-year-old said: "Overall, it was a good performance, a bit cagey at some points but I think we grew into it.

"A lot of the boys have never played at this level before so there were some nerves and I think there’s a lot more to come.

"Hopefully in our next games that will flow through and we can really attack the opposition”.

Dolan-Gray is next in action at 12.32am (BST) on Saturday when Wales take on Malaysia.

Basketball player Stefanie Collins, from Upper Heyford, takes to the court tomorrow morning (9.33) when England face Canada in Pool A.