Following their third victory in succession, South Africa is back on top of the standings at Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge.
Sally Walton scored two of the four goals for England, downing Spain, 4-1. With this win, England got now four points and could get ahead of Spain in the standings.
With Marta Prat’s field goal after 17 minutes, Spain took the lead and was able to add another goal five minutes later, when Spain was awarded a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute. But England’s goalkeeper Becky Duggan saved Nuria Camon’s attempt. Following some good chances England could draw after 28 minutes on a field goal of Tina Cullen and then even take the lead 3 minutes later on field goal of Sally Walton.
In the second half it was again Sally Walton scoring for Englang in the 42nd minute. Jennie Bimson finally scored the last goal of this match after 69 minutes.
Spain is having a day off on Wednesday while England will compete against host USA.
South Africa took the lead early in this match and could extend it before half time. Jen Wilson was the first to score on a penalty corner after 10 minutes. Just 6 minutes later another goal came out of a penalty corner – this time it was Shame Wehmeyer deflecting the ball into the goal.
Akemi Kato kept Japanese dreams alive by getting her team closer with a field goal in the 65th minute. They even had the possibility to draw in the closing seconds but South Africa goalkeeper Caroline Jack saved Toshie Tsukui’s penalty corner blast.
After this win, tomorrows match against New Zealand will be a showdown between first- and second-placed. Japan have two rest days - their next game is on Friday versus New Zealand.
