JONATHAN COOK
in Randburg

A clinical Belgium won the first Test of the two-Test series against the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team 3-1 at Randburg Hockey Stadium Saturday.

Belgium led 1-0 at half-time through Stephanie de Groof before Alix Gerniers added another 12 minutes after the break. SA pulled one back via a Kate Woods penalty corner but a Sofie Gierts penalty stroke restored the two-goal margin three minutes from the end.

Mindful of what is sure to be a physically taxing Olympic Qualifier Tournament in Delhi that starts in a fortnight’s time, SA’s 33-year-old world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee was rested for the third consecutive match, while Lesle-Ann George (Free State) and Jade Mayne (WP) celebrated their 150th and 50th Test appearances respectively.

Belgium earned a soft PC in the third minute and De Groof opened the scoring. Soon after, Annie-Sophie van Regemortel shot wide. Belgium won a second and third PC but sound defence from goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa and first wave defender Sulette Damons dispelled the danger

In the 25 minutes to half-time SA got into several very good positions in the strike zone and were most unfortunate when Belgian umpire Laurine Delforge disallowed what looked to be a textbook goal finished off by Damons after nifty work down the right channel from co-striker Dirkie Chamberlain.

By the 26th minute SA won their first PC and were dominating the game but didn't take advantage of further genuine goalscoring opportunities as the half-time clock wound down.

After the re-start SA strikers Lauren Penny and Chamberlain had shots saved by keeper Aisling D’Hooghe, Damons came close once again before Belgium’s Emilie Sinia shot into the side-netting. In the 47th minute Belgium went 2-0 up against the run of play through Alix Gerniers.

The revitalised Belgians enjoyed a productive spell and skilful captain Charlotte de Vos earned her side’s fourth PC before Helene Delmee was agonisingly close. A turnover resulted in Belgium’s fifth PC and De Groof’s slap-shot was padded away by Mangisa.

SA continued to mount goal-threatening moves and with seven minutes left captain Marsha Marescia, in her 275th Test match - the most capped athlete in any SA team sport - showed true grit in shrugging off heavy tackles to win the girls in green and gold’s second PC, which Woods smashed into the backboard (2-1).

Belgium hit back and their sixth PC saw an Anouk Raes strike result in Delforge awarding a disputed penalty stroke, which the superb Sofie Gierts flashed into the roof of the net three minutes from time (3-1).

The second Test is at 11 am Sunday at Randburg.