SA hockey teams put to the sword

BOTH the South African men’s and women’s hockey teams took a pasting in international matches at Hartleyvale last night.

The men’s side lost 7-1 to the Netherlands, preceded by the women being outclassed 5-2 by China, in the Summer Series.

Bili Ntuli almost scored in the first minute of the men’s match, but within minutes the visitors had gone 2-0 up.

The home crowd did have a moment to celebrate, though, when captain Tim Drummond scored from a penalty corner to make the score 2-1.

Milan van Baal (2), Rik van Kan, Bjorn Kellerman, Mirco Pruijser and Bram van Groesen (2) scored Holland’s goals.

Coach Max Caldas’ team played with lots of confidence and structure. They made it all look so easy. This was in contrast to the South Africans, who struggled to find rhythm and get going on attack. They ended up having to defend for most of the match.

Earlier in the evening the South African women’s team fought a good fight against China. At halftime the score was 1-1 and with only one chukka to go it was still pretty close at 3-2.

There was a dispute over China’s second goal, but the score stood, although the Proteas struck back immediately with a superb goal from Sulette Damons.

South Africa’s first goal was scored from a great turnover, with Candice Manuel smacking the ball home.

China’s goals were scored by Bingfeng Gu, Lihua Goa, Xiaoxue Zhang, Xiaomei Sun and Ming Xiao Song.

South Africa will be disappointed with the scoreline and the fact that they conceded some soft goals in that final chukka, but all in all, Sheldon Rostron’s team did much more right than wrong.

Now the players need to focus on the finishing touches that will turn good play into better opportunities and goals.

The South African women’s team will take on Chile at 6pm tonight.

This match is followed by what could be an epic clash between the men’s teams of Belgium and the Netherlands.