Tarryn Ensures a Bright Victory

South
Africa‘s celebrated Tarryn Bright
made her 75^th cap a memorable one when she scored the lone goal in
the second Test against Ireland,
at Hartleyvale on Tuesday evening.

The
striker was honoured before the start of the match, which marked her 75th
appearance for SPAR SA. Apart from Bright’s goal which came via a 61st minute
penalty stroke, SA goalkeeper Marriette Rix provided the other highlight when
she saved a penalty near the end of the match.

At
the outset Ireland
battled to get to grips with the basics after heavy showers greeted the start
of the match. That paved the way for South Africa launch one attack
after the other on the Irish defence, with two scoring chances emerging.

South Africa seemed to channel most of first-half efforts down
the left flank, but they were checked by some stout defence from Ireland, before
they could convert their penetrative sorties into the circle.

Ireland
on the other hand were left to mount their attacks from counter-attack
opportunities, their best efforts launched down the right, where Elmar Cregan
pulled off a few telling runs into the SA half.

The
sides changed ends without reward although SA held the upper hand for long
spells. However, the Irish defence forced them to land their best scoring
attempts from acute angles, and the ploy worked brilliantly for the visitors.

In
the second half the Irish looked a far more cohesive side, and managed to apply
pressure on the SA defence. Although they looked the more likely to score for
about 12 minutes after the break, they lacked the finishing touch.

After
SA saw off Ireland’s
early second-half onslaught, they regained the initiative but they too were
unable to make an impression on the scoreline.

But
Bright changed that with a penalty to secure a victory for SA in a match where
the Irish showed a marked improvement after their 4-0 drubbing at Stellenbosch
on Sunday.

The
third of four Tests will be played at Stellenbosch on Friday evening.