LOCAL hockey star Mark Bateman helped steer his country to a best ever finish in the European Under 21 Championships.

The 21-year-old from Haslington starred for Wales as they achieved a fine fourth place in Gibraltar.

There was no shade under the shadow of the famous Rock with the Red Dragons facing six gruelling matches in just eight days and temperatures reaching 100 F.

Bateman and the boys started the tournament in style with an upset over much-fancied Italy.

His spectacular dive to deflect a cross into the back of the net gave Wales a 2-1 interval lead and swift attacking and defending ensured a 3-2 victory.

Portugal were dispatched by the same scoreline to keep them on a roll before a battle of the 'home' nations.

Bateman was deployed in a right-back roll to help keep Scotland at bay and the Dragons stood firm to take the honours and a 1-0 win.

With nine points in the bag and top at the end of the group stages, Wales required just one more victory for a top-two finish and promotion to the elite of England, Holland and Germany.

However hopes were dashed as Austria proved too tough a nut to crack, grinding out a 1-0 victory to reach the final.

Injuries were beginning to stretch the 15-man squad with Wales now looking for a consolation medal against France but their depleted line-up couldn't find the net as they lost 3-1.

Scotland tore up the form book to win the tournament in a riveting 5-2 win in the final.

Bateman believes Wales can only get better.

"This was the most demanding tournament I have ever competed in due to the heat and the number of matches over such a short period," he explained.

"The level of injuries meant we couldn't rotate players as much as we needed to.

"However it was our best ever performance and now we'll reflect, refocus and rebuild the team for the next event."

Head coach at Crewe Vagrants, Bateman is helping the club gear up for their first ever season in NHL Division One while also coaching at Sandbach School and completing a Sports and Coaching Degree at MMU in Alsager.