SA Assume Lead over Canada

South Africa’s Vida Ryan on the attack against Canada, in the second hockey test played in Pretoria on Friday night. SA won 2-1. Picture: Reg Caldecott

The SPAR South African women’s hockey team overcame a rain delay to beat Canada 2-1 in the second of this three-match series, played at the Afrikaans Meisies Hoërskool (Affies) in Pretoria.

Both teams started slowly and the match was a midfield battle for most of the first half, and both teams lacked that little bit extra going forward. For South Africa, the new defensive strategy that coach Jenny King has come up with caused some problems, as the team lost their shape most times and looked a bit thin at the back.

Canada capitalised on South Africa’s problems in defence and on 30 minutes had a controversial goal given, despite South Africa’s protest that the ball had not crossed the line.

Canada were ahead early on and the South Africans took a while to regroup from the setback, while the home side looked in desperate need of a good talking to, and a rain break allowed them just that.

Returning to play with more urgency, the South Africans were rewarded when captain Marsha Marescia slotted in from near the post in the 58th minute to equalise and, cheers had barely died down, when Henna du Buisson bashed in the second goal to put the South Africans ahead.

There were more chances as the match continued in the rain, but South Africa had Canada pinned back in their own half and managed to hold on to their advantage.

"After watching (our first game), we knew that we were capable of much better," said Marescia, "We still have some things to work on, but we have taken a step forward and need to keep that momentum going forward."

For Canadian captain Sarah Forbes, who is also the goalkeeper, the match was a big step backward after they were able to draw the first match on Thursday.

"We very disappointment because we had an excellent first half, but we didn’t cope well with the rain break and South Africa did," said Forbes, "We have to work on consistency especially since we playing Olympic qualifiers soon."

The teams play the last match of this series at 10.30am on Sunday at the TUT campus in Pretoria West.