The EP Queens scored a late try to secure their first win of the season in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, while the top three sides on the log each recorded a full house of log points in their respective round five victories.
The Queens edged the Golden Lions Women 31-24 in Nelson Mandela Bay, while in other coastal action, DHL Western Province remained third on the log by beating the Sharks Ladies 29-19 in Durban.
The two top sides on the log, the Bulls Daisies and Sanlam Boland Dames, scored massive wins to edge closer to the final on 29 March. The Daisies won on a canter against Border Ladies in Pretoria, scoring 11 tries in a 67-0 victory, while the Dames ran riot in Bloemfontein with a stunning second half effort to beat the Free State Women 92-20.
The EP Queens’ first win of the season came in dramatic fashion at Wolfson Stadium, where they beat the Golden Lions Women 31-24 with a late try. The visitors were again pipped at the post in a match where they had numerous opportunities.
The Queens conceded four yellow cards and a penalty try in a match that never settled in anyone's favour, but the host team somehow found a way to win. After a 5-5 halftime score, the second half delivered seven tries, as both teams punched, and counter punched.
The Lions drew level in the 74th minute with their fourth try to make it 24-24, but EP outside centre Ywaydha de Vos raced in two minutes from time to edge her side ahead. Anacadia Minnaar converted, which confirmed a first win of the competition for new coach Con van Rooyen.
The Sanlam Boland Dames scored 59 unanswered points in a blistering second half onslaught of the Free State Women tryline. They had a comfortable 33-20 lead at the break and although the home side showed glimpses of their ability, all disappeared in what must be the most productive half played by the Dames in many seasons.
Amanda Klaassen (left wing) bagged four of the 14 tries for her side, with Theresa Ruiters adding 11 conversions. The home side's Sne Mdletshe scored probably the best individual try of the competition thus far, slicing through numerous Boland tacklers, but that was just too far and in between for the Free Staters.
The Bulls Daisies blanked another opponent, this time the Border Ladies, who despite their best efforts, could not contain the international class of their Loftus Versfeld hosts. Ten Daisies dotted down for tries, with team captain, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, bagging a double.
Credit to the Ladies, who gave their best, but was just not good enough for the rampant defending champions. Border, trailing 38-0 at the break, had their best spell in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, where they kept the Daisies scoreless and had the odd opportunity or two for points, but poor execution and option taking prevented that.
DHL Western Province kept their final hopes intact with a convincing 29-19 win at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. The visitors scored five tries and although their line was breached three times, they had enough in the tank to pull away from the Sharks Women, whose trophy hopes have been dashed.
The home side started well, getting the first points of the match on the board when Ulender Khumalo (right wing) raced in for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.
The WP pack then took control, scoring three tries before the break, one of them by Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi. The second half had more parity, with both sides scoring twice. Lively Sharks No 8 Megan Comley bagged a brace as they delivered a late flurry, but the visitors had enough composure and class to see that out.
SCORERS
EP Queens 31 (5), Golden Lions Women 24 (5)
EP – Tries: Sibabalwe Klaas, Johnerecia Booysen, Esethu Mbongisa, Ywaydha De Vos (2). Conversions: Anacadia Minnaar (3).
Lions – Tries: Masingita Simango, Khanyisile Ntai, Ratidzo Gurajena, Penalty Try. Conversion: Provia Mashiane.
Sharks Women 19 (7), DHL Western Province 29 (15)
Sharks – Tries: Megan Comley (2), Ulender Khumalo. Conversions: Anesipho Malgas (2).
WP – Tries: Nolusindiso Booi, Lauren Adams, Nomkhitha Chuba, Anuckha Ekron, Mari Dalhouzie. Conversions: Kirsten Conrad, Elme Kruger.
Bulls Daisies 67 (38), Border Ladies 0 (0)
Bulls – Tries: Unam Tose, Lucky Nkhumishe, Faith Tshauke, Patience Mokone, Sizophila Solontsi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Libbie Janse van Rensburg (2), Karabo Lebotsa, Jakkie Cilliers, Xolelwa Diliza. Conversions: Cilliers (5), Byrhandre Dolf.
Free State Women 20 (20), Sanlam Boland Dames 92 (33)
Free State – Tries: Faith Gosling, Sikholiwe Mdletshe. Conversions: Thamie Yako (2). Penalty goals: Yako (2).
Boland – Tries: Veroeshka Grain, Keishia Stuurman (2), Amanda Klassen (4), Nomawethu Mabenge (2), Buhle Sonamzi, Aseza Hele, Ropha Madyah (2), Sinalo Ziqwayi. Conversions: Theresa Ruiters (11).