Scots victory provides ideal boost

Scotland women clinched a fine 2-0 series win over an Investic South African side ranked five places above them in the world with a convincing 3-1 win in Dublin yesterday morning as Gordon Shepherd's preparations for the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Poland received the perfect boost.

As in previous games the tourists started strongly, winning two set-piece awards in the opening minutes which were competently dealt with by a well-organised Scottish defence. Then, as in the previous games, Scotland began to take control of proceedings, Shepherd's team opening the scoring in five minutes when, following good combination work from Catriona Ralph, Ali Bell and Vikki Bunce, Laura Bartlett was obstructed and from the resultant penalty stroke Bunce powered the ball high to the right of the helpless South African keeper.

Minutes later the Scots doubled their advantage when Nikki Kidd's drag flick was illegally stopped on the line by a defender and Ralph stepped forward to confidently send the ball into the keeper's right-hand corner. The visitors hit back, however, when Dirkie Chamberlain was on hand at the far post to send the ball past keeper Abi Walker.

Scotland had further efforts from Linda Clement and Holly Cram before Clement restored the two-goal lead, getting a touch on a Bunce rebound from a set piece.

Yesterday's victory came after a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Then South Africa had taken the lead through Kathleen Taylor but the Scots stormed back and Bunce and Cram put them ahead before South Africa captain Marsha Marescia levelled the score,