Mixed fortunes for SA hockey
The packed Grand Stand at Hartleyvale Sunday were treated to some thrilling hockey, but there were mixed feeling about the results, as the Investec South Africa women’s team lost 2-0 to Chile while the SA men rallied superbly to draw 2-2 with Ireland.
A general view of Ireland celebrating a goal during the 2015 International Summer Series mens hockey match between South Africa and Ireland at Hartleyvale Stadium on January 25, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images)
Chile scored through Francisca Vidaurre via a penalty corner in the ninth minute to lead 1-0 at half-time before adding another in the 49th, this after another long spell of defending their goals, when a fast breakout brought a brilliant save by replacement keeper Hanli Hattingh, but lively Manuela Urroz roofed the rebound in a spectacular fashion.
The revved-up Chileans have tied the series 1-1 after SA won the first Test 4-2 last week. To be fair, a young, talented yet relatively untried SA side went into this match. They were minus about 900 Test caps’ worth of experience as
battle-hardened soldiers in this squad – Sanani Mangisa, Anelle van Deventer, Lisa Deetlefs, Sulette Damons, Marcelle Manson, Bernie Coston and Jade Mayne – were rested.
SA certainly had passages of excellent play in both attack and defence but it was not enough to make a difference on the day.
It sets up a fascinating third Test on Monday at 5pm, while the fourth and final Test is on Tuesday at 6.30pm. The Ireland men’s short, sharp passing in confined areas led to goals from Michael Darling in the 19th minute and Alan Sothern in the 22nd for a 2-0 lead at half-time.
The determined South Africans, boosted by their vociferous fans, fought their way back into the game and penalty corner strikes in the 40th by Jethro Eustice and Brandon Panther in the 57th – three minutes from the end – sets up a thriller at Hartleyvale in Monday’s 7pm second and final Test. At Stellenbosch University Monday, the Dutch and Belgian men will meet at 3pm.
There were passages of brilliant goalkeeping by all four South African keepers in Sunday’s Tests – and SA men’s replacement keeper Gowan Jones proved the point that on some occasions, the last line of defence does indeed play a major role in the final outcome.
The mammoth Cape Town Summer series ends on February 2 at Hartleyvale.
TEAMS
Men: SA vs Ireland 1st Test
SA: Jacques le Roux (GK), Lance Louw, Robin Jones, Rhett Halkett (capt), Daniel Bell, Jethro Eustice, Clint Panther, Miguel da Graca, Taine Paton, Brandon Panther, Pierre de Voux. Rolling subs: Gowan Jones (GK), Gareth Heyns, Marc Fourie, Dylan Swanepoel, Natius Malgraff, Dalan Phillips, Damian Kimfley.
Ireland: David Fitzgerald (GK), John Jackson (capt), Jonathan Bell, Ronan Gormley, Michael Watt, Chris Cargo, Stephen Dowds, Kirk Shimmins, Michael Darling, Paul Gleghorne, Shane O’Donoghue. Rolling subs: Mark Ingram (GK),
Bruce McCandless, Drew Carlisle, Eugene Magee, Michael Robson, Jonathan Bruton, Alan Sothern.
Umpires: Sean Rappaport, Scott Tarr.
Women: SA vs Chile 2nd Test
SA: Phume Mbande (GK), Demi du Toit, Erin Hunter, Nicole Walraven, Nicolene Terblanche (capt), Line Malan, Quanita Bobbs, Kaila Flemming, Lilian du Plessis, Dirkie Chamberlain, Tanya Britz. Rolling subs: Hanli Hattingh (GK), Christine Roos, Illse Davids, Shelley Russell, Tiffany Jones, Carmen Smith, Toni Marks.
Chile: Claudia Schuller (GK), Sofia Walbaum, Francisca Pizarro, Sofia Filipek, Carolina Garcia, Francisca Vidaurre, Manuela Urroz, Camila Caram (capt),Francisca Tala, Constanza Palma, Maria Ignacia Bastias. Rolling subs: Natalia
Salvador (GK), Carolina Kappes, Fernanda Flores, Andrea Greene, Denise Krimmermann, Catalina Salas, Josefa Villalabeitia.
Umpires: Melissa Taylor, Chantelle Britz.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY FIXTURES
(At Hartleyvale)
Monday – Women: SA vs Chile (5pm); Men: SA vs Ireland (7pm).
(At Stellenbosch University)
Men – Holland vs Belgium (3pm).
Tuesday – (At Hartleyvale) Women: SA vs Chile (6.30pm)
Tickets: R30. Gates open one hour before the first whistle.
