An inspired performance by goalkeeper Mark Ruddle was the main factor in a rousing Irish victory over England in their concluding match of the Home Countries under-18 hockey championship in Cardiff yesterday.

Scotland won the title for only the second time.

Alan Giles and John Hobbs gave Ireland a 2-0 half-time lead, with second-phase deliveries from short corners, whereas from at least 25 set-piece opportunities, the England strikers couldn't beat Ruddle, who had sterling support from his Ashton schoolmates, Karl Burns and John Hobbs. An important role, too, was played by David Armstrong in subduing the English captain, Andrew West, in mid-field.

Overall, this backs-to-the-wall performance will have given Ireland encouragement for the European championship (A division) in Belfast at Easter. "It's not often we beat England," said youth and schools' committee chairman, Herbie Sharman. "Indeed, they rarely finish third."

Scotland, who surprised Ireland with a 5-2 win on Saturday and then stunned England 5-4, wrapped up the honours in outclassing Wales.

In the under-16 tournament, Ireland also played defiantly against the champions, England, before losing 2-1. David Roche, who scored in the last minute, was a leading Irish figure along with Aaron Mills and Andrew Walker. Here, too, there was the consolation of taking second place, on goal difference, from Scotland, who succumbed to a late Welsh winner.