Smith's winner restores some pride

South Africa's Jacquleline Geyser (r) tackles Jane Sixsmith

Great Britain's women restored some pride to their otherwise dismal hockey campaign with a 3-2 win over South Africa.

The victory guaranteed Britain a place in Wednesday's play-off to decide seventh or eighth place.

Jane Smith's 38th minute penalty corner goal proved to be the winner in a match in which both sides showed the effects of a tough campaign.

Scottish forward Rhona Simpson fired Britain ahead in the third minute with her first goal in the tournament after Smith had made a strong run along the byline.

But the lead lasted just three minutes as Alison Dare deflected Kerry Bee's free hit past Hilary Rose.

Clewlow to rescue

Mel Clewlow restored Britain's lead, hammering in a penalty corner and Simpson was guilty of squandering several superb chances to put the game beyond South Africa's reach.

Inevitably, Pietie Coetzee made Britain pay with an equaliser, beating Kath Johnson and Denise Marston-Smith at the edge of the circle before firing in an unstoppable shot.

In a lacklustre second half both teams showed the effects of their fifth game in the tournament.

And after Smith struck three minutes after the restart to restore Britain's lead, niehter side looked capable of raising their game.

Britain won another four penalty corners in the contest but were unable to capitalise while their opponents pushed hard in the closing stages without success.