Pool B: Ireland 1 (Chloe Watkins) South Africa 0

Hosts Ireland got their Champions Challenge I campaign off to a great start as they surprised South Africa with Chloe Watkins’ 52^nd minute goal making the vital difference. It saw the girls in green edge home a tight, tense battle in which South Africa could not find the fluidity that marked the latter phases of their Olympic campaign.

In a high tempo opening, both sides had decent chances with Niamh Small finding good space for a reverse while Jade Mayne was only denied by Emma Gray’s out-stretched toe. Neither side, though, could make corners count as both let chances slip, Ireland missing out from a couple on the half-time hooter.

But Ireland took advantage in the second period when Sulette Damons was shown a yellow card and a minute later, her side were behind. Emma Smyth instigated the move before the diminutive Watkins twisted away from a pair of tackles and unleashed a rising reverse across the Sanani Mangisa’s bows.

South Africa pushed hard for an equaliser with Lesle-Ann George stinging Gray’s palm while Damons blazed wide when clean through. They could not force an equaliser, though, and Ireland had a strong win to start their week.