Dutch stand firm to edge out S Africa

Hockey

With Great Britain not in action yesterday, interest focused on South Africa's game against the Netherlands. Both teams had lost their opening games, Bill Colwill writes from Cape Town.

The Dutch took a quick free hit from just outside the circle which found their captain, Wietske de Ruiter, unmarked to open the scoring after 10 minutes.

The Springboks swung back on to the attack, and equalised through Caryn Bentley, but the Dutch retook the lead three seconds before the interval, then increased their lead midway through the second half.

South Africa pulled a goal back through Bentley, and when the Dutch were reduced to 10 players following the temporary suspension of Suzan van der Wielen, the Springboks were unlucky not to share the points.

Britain today face Germany in a game in which the team that holds their nerve and takes their chances will win. It is essential that Britain keep their width, move forward from the midfield and convert their penalty corners.