Sanlam Boland Dames rebounded in the best possible way in the SA Rugby Women's Premier Division on Saturday by scoring 11 tries in an impressive victory over the Free State Women in Bloemfontein, while the Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province kept their good form with wins over Border Ladies and the Sharks Women respectively
The Golden Lions Women had to fight back to seal a win over EP Queens, only their second victory of the season.
It was the eighth round of competition, resulting in teams playing each other for the second time and again the same four teams won as in the opening round.
The Dames, outplayed by the Sharks last weekend, were clearly stung by their defeat in Durban and rocked the Bloemfontein faithful with a masterful display of rugby and won by 74-5.
The Bolanders scored through their customary forward drives, but also some delightful and long range efforts with their backs. Flanker Meg Mambe bagged four of the tries, getting good reward for excellent supporting play.
Free State were never in this game and Boland gave them no opportunities to get back once they conceded three tries in the opening 15 minutes.
The Bulls Daisies maintained their top of the log status with a solid 47-0 win over a very durable Border. The Daisies were on fire in the first half at Loftus Versfeld, scoring six tries in a dazzling display of attacking rugby and a 40-0 lead at the break.
Credit to Border though, who stayed in the fight in the second half and improved their defence significantly, only letting in one Daisies try after the break.
DHL Western Province again had a strong second half surge to thank for their 23-11 win over the Sharks Women in Durban. As in their first encounter in the opening round of the competition, things were tight at the break, with the Cape side edging their hosts by a solitary try.
In the second half though, the pressure applied by the overall game from the Capetonians proved too much and they pulled away, with a bonus point win. Springbok Women tighthead Azisa Mkiva contributed to the victory outside of the scrum as well with two tries.
The Golden Lions Women repeated their opening round win over the EP Queens, but had to work much harder for this one, by 34-19. The home side rocked their Gauteng visitors with three tries in the opening half, with Ruzanne George dotting down twice at Wolfson Stadium.
The Lions kept plugging away and five unanswered second half tries proved too much for the Queens, who will take some heart out of this performance.
Scorers:
Free State Women 5 (0), Sanlam Boland Dames 74 (41)
Free State – Try: Amber Olivier.
Boland – Tries: Yola Lumko, Onako Jita, Meg Mambe (4), Amanda Klassen (2), Lulu Tyibilika, Macaela Samboya, Chuma Qawe, Penalty try. Conversions: Thanie Yeko (6).
EP Queens 19 (19), Golden Lions Women 34 (5)
EP - Tries: Ruzanne George (2), Shaunique Alexander. Conversions: Zaza Nojoko (2).
Lions – Tries: Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Piwokuhle Nyanda (2), Andiswa Maseko, Capucine Josse, Zanele Myeni. Conversions: Zonke Sethi, Masingita Simango.
Sharks Women 11 (3), DHL Western Province 23 (8)
Sharks – Try: Sinenhlanhla Luthuli. Penalty goals: Tayla Kinsey (2).
WP – Tries: Voice Ndou, Alicia Arries, Azisa Mkiva (2). Penalty goal: Alicia Willemse.
Bulls Daisies 47 (40), Border Ladies 0 (0)
Bulls - Tries: Asithandile Ntoyanto, Vainah Ubisi (2), Faith Tshauke, Jakkie Cilliers, Unathi Mali (2). Conversions: Cilliers (6).