Nikki Evans hits a hat-trick as Ireland get off to a flying start

Ireland 4 South Africa 1 Nikki Evans' hat-trick inspired Ireland to an opening 4-1 win over South Africa in their Hockey World League clash in Valencia. She took just five minutes to break the deadlock, ghosting to the right of the circle to clip home the opening effort.

Kelly Madsen levelled soon after with a deflection at the top of the circle but Ireland were back in front on 18 minutes via another Evans touch, this time from a deflection at penalty corner time.

Third quarter

South Africa had their chances to level in the third quarter but could not convert a pair of corners, won by Dirkie Chamberlain.

But Ireland took their chances with Evans diving on to the end of Chloe Watkins’ powerful cross in the 50th minute to make it 3-1. Nicci Daly then completed the result with a spectacular solo goal, lifting the ball into the circle and cracking home on the volley.

It secured a fine win over a side ranked three places higher in the world rankings – Ireland are 14th – and a regular contender at World Cups and Olympic Games. Captain Megan Frazer said the team executed their game plan to perfection.

“It was fantastic; what we aimed to do in our team talk, we executed exactly on the pitch and it showed in the second half. We had good control and were able to put it on the score sheet,” she said..

As for the Evans’ hat trick, Frazer added: “It sums her up; Nikki is an absolute workhorse. If there’s a chance of a goal, she will just throw herself at it. Whatever she has to do to get it in!”

The result puts Ireland in great shape to advance to one of the four quarter-final places from their initial five-team group. They are back in action today at 2pm Irish time as they take on reigning European champions Germany in their second game.

Germany cruised to a comfortable 8-0 win over Uruguay to get their campaign off to a great start, scoring five goals in the first half to the set the tone.

The tournament acts as the main event for Olympic qualification.

E Gray, C Sargent, E Smyth, K Mullan, S McCay, M Frazer, A Connery, L Colvin, N Daly, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan. Subs: Y O’Byrne, N Evans, G Pinder, C Watkins, K Dillon, A Meeke, A McFerran