Dutch humble SA hockey ladies

The Dutch walked away as 2-0 winner in the two-Test series.

The goal blitz undid much of the excellent work SA had done in standing all-square with the world’s number one team after the first stanza.

The Netherlands’ goals came from Charlotte Vega (26^th minute), Lidewij Welten (43^rd and 44^th), Eva de Goede (46^th) and Valerie Magis (50th) while Investec South Africa’s loan goal was via the stick of Kathleen Taylor (27^th minute).

This series forms part of the 11-match Hartleyvale Summer Series that also includes Australia and Belgium, and which runs until February 3.

Another sizeable Dutch crowd was present as Netherlands captain Maartje Paumen got in two shots from the first penalty corner in the second minute, but SA hit back with two dangerous entries into their opponents’ circle which came about after admirable build-up that made intelligent use of the available space.

Playing against the gale-force wind, the Dutch probed left and right for long periods, the SA defence holding firm, until midway through the half when skilful Ellen Hoog won the second PC, which Paumen flicked wide of the far post.

The world’s top-ranked team were caught on the back foot when Shelley Russell, Pietie Coetzee and Sulette Damons combined superbly down the left wing but keeper Joyce Sombroek was able to clear the ball out of the strike zone.

In the 26^th minute Roos Drost earned a turnover near halfway and fed Hoog, the ball then relaying to Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel before Charlotte Vega administered the killer blow at the far post. But SA hit back immediately (27th) with a stunning goal by Kathleen Taylor after Dirkie Chamberlain had cracked in a cross from the right (1-1).

Towards the end of the half SA keeper Phume Mbande saved The Netherlands’ third and fourth PCs and the teams changed over with the score 1-1. Mbande then saved brilliantly from the fifth set-piece just 30 seconds into the second half but the sixth PC – in the 43^rd minute - saw Lidewij Welten sweep in the rebound. A minute later (44^th) Welten made it 3-1 after scrambling Kim Lammers short pass over the goalline.

Two minutes later (46th) the seventh PC saw Dutch star De Goede make no mistake for 4-1. In the 50^th Van den Heuvel fed Valerie Magis who had time to rifle a reverse-stick shot that clattered into the backboard (5-1).

The last 20 minutes saw Mbande make three solid clearances as SA turned over too much ball and save The Netherland’s eighth PC as well, while Coetzee forced a save from Sombroek near the end after the South Africans managed to break out of defence.

SA meet Australia’s Hockeyroos in a three-Test series at Hartleyvale on Wednesday (7pm), Friday (7pm) and Saturday (4pm) before a six-Test series starts for the South Africans against Belgium on Sunday, January 26.

SCORES
The Netherlands (1) 5 (Charlotte Vega 26^th minute, Lidewij Welten 43^rd, 44^th, Eva de Goede 46^th, Valerie Magis 50th)
Investec South Africa (1) 1 (Kathleen Taylor 27^th minute).

TEAMS
Investec South Africa: Marcelle Manson (née Keet), Quanita Bobbs, Kelly Madsen, Sulette Damons, Bernie Coston, Marsha Cox (capt), Pietie Coetzee, Shelley Russell, Tarryn Bright, Lilian du Plessis, Kathleen Taylor, Phume Mbande, Hanli Hattingh, Illse Davids, Celia Evans, Lisa Deetlefs, Dirkie Chamberlain, Lenise Marais.
The Netherlands: Joyce Sombroek, Frederique Derkx, Marloes Keetels, Kitty van Male, Malou Pheninckx, Willemijn Bos, Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel, Lidewij Welten, Caia Maasakker, Charlotte Vega, Maartje Paumen (capt), Ellen Hoog, Maartje Cox, Merel de Blaeij, Kim Lammers, Eva de Goede, Roos Drost, Valerie Magis.
Umpires: Michelle Joubert and Tanya Schafer (South Africa).
REMAINING FIXTURES
(all at Hartleyvale)
January: vs Australia:  Wednesday 22nd (7pm); Friday 24th (7pm); Saturday 25th (4pm)
vs Belgium: Sunday 26th (4pm); Tuesday 28th (8pm); Wednesday 29th (7pm); Friday 31st (7pm)
February
vs Belgium: Sunday 2nd (4 pm); Monday 3rd (7 pm)

* Twitter handle is @Investec_Sport using #Investechockey.

(File photo:Gallo Images)

- ECRSportswave - Jonathan Cook

- Twitter - @ECRSportswave