Goals by Lorna MacKenzie (12th and 55th) and captain Millie Giglio (45th) helped England to a 3-0 win over South Africa in their Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup match in Potchefstroom on Friday.
South Africa did create chances in the final quarter in this Pool B opener but England were defensively sound throughout.
England looked lively from push back, with a couple of early circle penetrations, but it was South Africa who had the game’s first big chance when Mila Welch had to make a smart save after good work from Kayla De Waal.
But that was the only real moment England’s goal was troubled in the opening half, with captain Giglio driving her team forward with some dynamic dribbling.
South Africa did improve at the start of the third quarter, Bianca Wood wasting a good chance to halve the deficit with Letchford’s team momentarily struggling to get out of their own half.
But after weathering the South African storm, England got the break they needed to get some breathing space, once again with only seconds left of the quarter.
Another Long penalty corner caused chaos, with only a clear foul from the defending side stopping the ball hitting the net. Giglio converted the resultant penalty stroke to put her side 2-0 up.
England wrapped things up in fine style when Mackenzie was on hand again from a penalty corner to smash the ball beyond Mishka Ellis.