/ 13 October 2010

England claim women’s hockey bronze after 1-0 win over SA

Georgie Twigg scored the match-winning goal as England defeated South Africa 1-0 to bag the bronze in the Commonwealth Games women’s hockey on Wednesday.

It was the second bronze medal in a row for England, the world number five, after having finished third in the 2006 Melbourne Games as well.

South Africa, ranked number 12, failed to break their medal duck at the Games.

The South Africans proved to be quite a handful for their fancied rivals as they constantly tested the England defence with their threatening counter-moves.

They forced six penalty corners early in the first half, four of them in succession, but were unable to convert any, thanks to a stout England defence and their plucky goalkeeper, Beth Storry.

England then stepped up their attacks and found immediate success when a cross from fullback Crista Cullen was netted in by Twigg in the 13th minute.

The South Africans tried to fight back in the second half but their main striker, Pietie Coetzee, squandered a couple of golden chances to convert penalty corners. — Sapa-AFP