By Emily Goddard

netherlands investec challenge winners 2013February 10 - Olympic women's hockey champions the Netherlands maintained their unwavering hold over the field at the Investec Challenge to claim the title with a 4-2 win over hosts South Africa.

The world number 11 ranked team, South Africa, put up a good fight against the world number ones, but it just was not enough to beat the London 2012 gold medal winners at a packed Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town.

By half-time the Netherlands were 2-0 up through goals from Roos Drost in the seventh minute and Kitty van Male in the 23rd, with the world's best shot stopper, Joyce Sombroek, stifling attempts from the silver medal winners' world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee and Jade Mayne.

Investec SA striker Jade Mayne on attack in the Investec Challenge final against The NetherlandsStriker Jade Mayne (right) on attack in the final against the Netherlands

South African Beijing 2008 Olympian Lisa Deetlefs went on to score for the hosts five minutes into the second half from their second successive penalty corner, but the Netherlands came back with forward Maria Verschoor beating home keeper Sanani Mangisa from close for 3-1 in the 55th minute.

Just four minutes later Mayne scored following a pass from Celia Evans to make it 3-2, but hopes of a draw were soon to be quashed when the Netherlands' Charlotte Vega secured a goal with just seven seconds left on the clock for the 4-2 final scoreline.

Meanwhile, England managed a repeat of the British performance at the London 2012 Olympics to secure a bronze medal, battling back twice against Australia before winning 3-2 on penalties.

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