SA women thrash Belgium

Johannesburg - The South African women's hockey team thrashed Belgium 6-0 in the first Test at Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday.

South Africa’s goals came from Kathleen Taylor in the sixth minute, Ilse Davids in the 16th, Sulette Damons in the 17th and 49th, and Celia Evans in the 47th and 61st.

South Africa, welcomed back defender Lisa Deetlefs from a leg injury, and the player enjoyed a good start in winning a penalty corner in the fourth minute after Belgium’s Lieselotte van Lindt barged into Shelley Russell in the 23-metre area.

Lilian du Plessis, however, did not get hold of her drag-flick.

A second penalty corner followed. Du Plessis’ effort was saved by keeper Aisling D’Hooge, but the high rebound fell into the lap of Taylor who popped the ball in to take a 1-0 lead.

Russell took play down the right, and passed inside to Davids who first-timed the ball into the back of the net, as South Africa doubled their advantage just after the quarter-hour mark.

A minute later, Dirkie Chamberlain, Taylor and Kelly Madsen made the perfect passes for Damons to tap in the hosts' third.

In the 47th minute, Chamberlain laid off the pass for Evans to smash home a 4-0 lead.

Two minutes later it was Chamberlain who fed the ball to Damons and the player obliged with the fifth goal for the South Africans.

Evans completed the comprehensive result just after the hour mark to seal a resounding 6-0 triumph.