Chile lack bite as SA women sweep past

Cape Town - South Africa gave an impressive performance beating Chile 4-2 in a Test in the Cape Town Summer Series at Hartleyvale on Thursday.

The score was 1-1 at half-time.

Three minutes into the match, umpire Tanja Schafer adjudged Chile striker Manuela Urroz to have been body-checked.

She awarded a penalty corner, which captain Camila Caram slapped powerfully into the goals that gave Chile, ranked 20th in the world, a lead of 1-0.

In the seventh minute a move launched by pacy Shelley Russell involving some good combinations saw South Africa, ranked 11th in the world, almost level the score.

Towards the end of the first of the four 15-minute chukkas, Bernie Coston captain for the match, Sulette Damons, Quanita Bobbs and Tanya Britz combined well to create opportunities.

Into the second quarter and Illse Davids smashed a great backhand across the face of goal as SA sought parity.

Russell split the defence with a slide-rule pass and SA earned their first PC, debutant umpire Melissa Taylor of Pietermaritzburg firm in her decision.

Lisa Deetlefs' PC slap-shot was saved low by keeper Natalia Salvador but Russell was on hand to deftly steer the rebound home for 1-1 in the 24th minute.

Two minutes into the third stanza (32nd minute) Damons set the game alight with a stunning reverse-stick strike that put SA 2-1 up.

Chile came back two minutes later to draw level through Urroz following a PC.

The pace quickened as the action swung from end to end, allowing more space and time, and Dirkie Chamberlain worked hard to win a PC but the chance was blocked.

Coming out for the final chukka with the score locked at 2-2 good combinations play led to Chamberlain smashing a reverse-stick shot that thudded into the backboard for SA to take the lead with 3-2.

With seconds left Nicolene Terblanche nailed another goal for the 4-2 final scoreline.

SA meet Belgium at 6.30pm Friday. The game will be preceded by Chile playing against a Western Province Invitation team at 4pm.