Share of the spoils as Scotland draw second match with South Africa

 


Scotland Women ensured a share of the spoils, at least, in the
three match Test Series with 12th ranked South Africa in Dublin on
Saturday afternoon when they drew 2-2 in the second game of the
series at the UCD ground.

South Africa began in determined fashion and went ahead in the
opening minutes when a defensive clearance was intercepted and as
the ball was driven back into the circle Kathleen Taylor managed to
scramble the ball past goalkeeper Abi Walker.

Undeterred Scotland stormed forward and the South African keeper
had to be alert saving attempts from Ali Bell, Sam Judge (twice)
and Vikki Bunce. Nikki Kidd also had a set piece drag charged down
by the under pressure tourists’ defenders.

Scotland finally made their pressure count when Laura Bartlett took
a quick free hit and following neat interplay between Bunce and
Linda Clement, the former was illegally blocked leading to the
award of a penalty stroke. Bunce herself stepped forward to send a
powerful low shot into the keeper’s left hand corner.

The Scots were ahead before the break when Bunce released Judge on
the left and her cross was deftly deflected into the left hand
corner by Holly Cram.  South African attacks had been few and
far between at this stage but Walker had to make an important block
just before the interval to maintain the lead.

An aggressive start to the second period saw Walker in the Scottish
goals have to produce a string of vital saves as Scotland struggled
to regain the fluency of the first half. However, whilst under more
pressure as South Africa showed the class expected of a side ranked
five places above them in the world rankings, Scotland still
created chances themselves with Bell and Ailsa Wylie unfortunate to
be denied.

The visitors did, however, level matters with fifteen minutes
remaining when a set piece effort from captain Marsha Marescia was
deflected by a defensive stick past the helpless Walker. Both sides
did have further chances to clinch victory but a draw was a fair
result in the end of the day.

Coach Shepherd said afterwards “It is a reflection of where we are
at the moment that the players are disappointed not to have won
today as, although we were under more pressure in the second half,
we still had chances to claim victory against a quality
side.”

The final game will be played on Sunday morning.

Scotland Women ensured a share of the spoils in the
three match Test Series with South Africa in Dublin on Saturday
afternoon when they drew 2-2 in the second game of the series at
the UCD ground.

South Africa began in determined fashion and went ahead in the
opening minutes when a defensive clearance was intercepted and as
the ball was driven back into the circle Kathleen Taylor managed to
scramble the ball past goalkeeper Abi Walker.

Undeterred Scotland stormed forward and the South African keeper
had to be alert saving attempts from Ali Bell, Sam Judge (twice)
and Vikki Bunce. Nikki Kidd also had a set piece drag charged down
by the under pressure tourists’ defenders.

Scotland finally made their pressure count when Laura Bartlett
took a quick free hit and following neat interplay between Bunce
and Linda Clement, the former was illegally blocked leading to the
award of a penalty stroke. Bunce herself stepped forward to send a
powerful low shot into the keeper’s left hand corner.

The Scots were ahead before the break when Bunce released Judge
on the left and her cross was deftly deflected into the left hand
corner by Holly Cram.  South African attacks had been few and
far between at this stage but Walker had to make an important block
just before the interval to maintain the lead.

An aggressive start to the second period saw Walker in the
Scottish goals have to produce a string of vital saves as Scotland
struggled to regain the fluency of the first half. However, whilst
under more pressure as South Africa showed the class expected of a
side ranked five places above them in the world rankings, Scotland
still created chances themselves with Bell and Ailsa Wylie
unfortunate to be denied

The visitors did, however, level matters with fifteen minutes
remaining when a set piece effort from captain Marsha Marescia was
deflected by a defensive stick past the helpless Walker. Both sides
did have further chances to clinch victory but a draw was a fair
result in the end of the day.

Coach Gordon Shepherd said afterwards “It is a reflection of
where we are at the moment that the players are disappointed not to
have won today as, although we were under more pressure in the
second half, we still had chances to claim victory against a
quality side.”

The final game will be played on Sunday morning.

 

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