Great Britain suffered an unexpected 3-1 defeat to South Africa in their opening match in the Investec London Cup at Chiswick. Missing both first choice central defenders (Kate Walsh and Crista Cullen), the defence was all at sea twice in the opening ten minutes.
An innocuous attack down the left deflected kindly for Sulette Damons whose open face shot from the back of the circle beat Beth Storry. The second came from a neat move from left to right which created an overlap for Bernadette Coston to finish impeccably.
Danny Kerry, GB coach, summed up South Africa's first half as "five circle penetrations three shots and two goals." Thereafter GB dominated but whether it was the slow pitch (the game was played in continuous heavy rain), the absence of a quarter of the selected Olympic squad (Sarah Thomas and Alex Danson are also out injured), or the resolute nature of South Africa's defence, there was no reward for British pressure and with 12 minutes left South Africa broke away to score through Jennifer Wilson who plays her hockey in England with the Canterbury club. With five minutes remaining GB scored at last. Helen Richardson drove down the right and her cross was swept in by Susannah Gilbert.
In the opening match in the other pool, a strangely subdued Netherlands beat Australia 2-1. Emily Smith put Australia ahead but Maartje Paumen equalised following up a Willemijn Bos penalty corner shot and scored the winner from a penalty stroke.
