MICHAEL VLISMAS, Pretoria | Wednesday 8.30pm.
PRETORIA, July 28 – Northerns’ communication problems are clearly still a problem after their 7-0 thrashing by Southern Gauteng on the second day of the women’s hockey inter-provincial at the Technikon Pretoria on Wednesday.
During their opening match against KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, the Northerns coaching team had to loan a few walkie talkies from the Technikon after failing to bring along their own better connection.
The result was having to share the air waves with campus bus drivers and security personnel, with calls such as “quicker up the flanks” mingling with the various bus stops on route.
On Wednesday, they may as well have been on another frequency all together.
A disorganized defence and lack of communication led to a Pool A drubbing the hosts could have avoided, while Southerns continue their march towards the women’s title, with Pietie Coetzee slamming home a staggering six goals in this game.
Also in Pool A, KwaZulu-Natal whitewashed Eastern Province 8-0, after leading 5-0 at half-time, with Caryn Bentley collecting her hat-trick.
In Pool B, Western Province maintained their clean sheet at this year’s tournament when they beat Free State 4-0.
But despite their two victories to date, Province have yet to play to their full potential.
Once again they were slow in asserting themselves against a Free State team content to just soak up the pressure.
Province’s overwhelming dominance only earned them a slender 1-0 lead at halftime through a field goal by Johke Koornhof in the 21st minute.
After another lull in their play, the 1997 National Hockey League champions resurfaced with two quick goals within five minutes of each other by Nicola Kirby and Nadine Dalling midway through the second half.
Marilyn Agliotti’s deflected goal with five minutes left capped an unconvincing, albeit effective, victory for Province.
In the other match, Natal Midlands scored an upset 1-0 victory over North West. — MWP
Scores:
Pool A – Southern Gauteng 7 (Pietie Coetzee (6), Karen Symons) Northerns 0; KwaZulu-Natal 8 (Candice Forward, Bronwyn Ross, Caryn Bentley (3), Kerry Bee (2), Leanne McNally) Eastern Province 0.
Pool B – Western Province 4 (Johke Koornhof, Nicola Kirby, Nadine Dalling, Marilyn Agliotti) Free State 0; Natal Midlands 1 (Tanith Carlisle) North West 0.