Ireland's Women's team lost the first of six games they will be competing in as part of their tour to South Africa.
Ireland were on the back foot almost immediately when the first goal came in the sixth minute from a free in at the top right of the circle, the ball was crashed in for South Africa's Du Busson to pick up close to the goalie and fire it home to open her country's account. Despite the early set back the first half was keenly contested with both sides creating some good attacks, Keeper Goode was also called into action early on and she made some crucial saves in the first half to keep the score line down, but Ireland harried well and didn't allow South Africa to get into a rhythm.
Cregan who was the most dangerous of the Irish forwards working the ball well to force the South African keeper into some good saves. The first corner of the match came only in the 31st minute against Ireland but the shot was blocked and cleared.
Despite being one nil down at half time Ireland started well in the first five of the second half with an Eimear Cregan shot going high over the cross bar and a McKean shot going astray, but the South African's didn't take long to double their lead and in the forty first minute a close range shot by Jennifer Wilson found its way into the Irish net for a two nil lead.
Ireland then had their best spell after that when Lisa Jacob forced South Africa to concede two penalty corners which the keeper cleared to keep her net clean. But South Africa weren't finished scoring yet and put the game beyond Ireland's reach with only fourteen minutes left on the clock through a direct shot penalty corner for Du Busson to knock up her second goal of the day and her country's third. Ireland were beginning to feel the pressure, they lost Roisin Flinn in the tenth minute of play due to a foot injury and then lost McCay to a blood injury followed by Clarke who took a heavy knock to the knee and to rub salt into the wound South Africa copper fastened their victory with only five seconds left on the clock when a counter attack forced a two v two and the home side found Ireland's net once more to close out the game four nil.
Overall it would be fair to comment that four nil wasn't a true reflection of the game and some what flattered the South Africa's when consider the Ireland had 20 circle penetrations compared South Africa's 18. However, the South African's finishing was superior and more clinical than Irelands resulting in four goals for the hosts. Commenting on the game was Coach Muller ÔÇ£The score line was frustrating for us as we did so many things well we had the same amount of corners and circle entries as SA but the play in both circles let us down.ÔÇØ
Source: Irish Hockey Association
