DHL Western Province handed the Bulls Daisies (22-10) their first defeat in two years on Saturday, while the Border Ladies (38-24 over Golden Lions Women) and Sharks Women (34-17 over Free State Women) secured significant wins on the road in round six of the Women's Premier Division.
Despite their defeat at City Park, the Daisies remain at the top of the log, but only on points’ differential, with the Sanlam Boland Dames, who outplayed EP Queens 49-0 in Hermanus, in second place, also on 25 log points.
WP remain third (21 pts), while Border (19 pts) and the Sharks (16pts) are next up on the log as the tournament reaches it halfway stage next weekend.
Free State (11 pts), the Golden Lions (6 pts) and EP (0 pts) complete the standings.
SHARKS WOMEN ROMP TO VICTORY
In the first game of the weekend, it took the Sharks Women a while to get their attack going, but once they did, the visitors romped away in the second half of their fixture against the Free State Women at CUT Stadium in Bloemfontein, scoring four very good tries.
The Durbanites held a tight and hard-fought 10-5 lead at the break, with good defence keeping a determined home side in check in the first half.
Despite conceding two early yellow cards in the second half, the Sharks found their groove and won comfortably in the end.
The visitors’ forward pack will look back at this fixture with delight as they laid a proper foundation in a performance the Sharks Women needed to remind themselves of their abilities in this tournament.
WP OUTSCORE DAISIES
In Cape Town, DHL Western Province not only outscored the Bulls Daisies by four tries to two in their most significant win of the season, they also bossed the current league champions in the tactical and execution departments.
Few sides in the competition can match WP’s attacking threats among their backs and they delivered on the day in a lively match enjoyed by a good crowd at City Park.
The Daisies lacked intensity, especially on attack, with a pedantic performance from their backs, who were overshadowed by their opponents.
A yellow card to Springbok Women’s loose forward Lusanda Dumke late in the second half also did not aid the visitors’ cause.
The win will mean as much to WP coach Stanley Raubenheimer and his squad as to the other contenders in the competition, who will realise that the defending champions can be beaten when confronted with a passionate and clinical performance and a game plan of not engaging with the Daisies pack.
For the team from Pretoria, the defeat most likely will be seen as a wake-up call at just the right time of the competition.
BORDER LADIES DIG DEEP
The Border Ladies secured a very good win at Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg, but they had to dig deep against a determined Golden Lions Women’s side, who came storming back into contention in the second half of a very entertaining match.
Border had it their way in the first half and at 21-5 at the break looked set to continue their scoreboard domination.
Two quick tries second half tries by the home side changed the dynamics and, in a blink, they were just one score away from the lead.
The Ladies kept their composure though and capitalised on some poor exit plays by the Lions to score two late tries and secure the win.
BOLAND DAMES CRUSH QUEENS
It was a relentless Sanlam Boland Dames team in Hermanus, who gave the EP Queens no respite and scored eight tries without conceding any points.
Nomawethu Mabenge punished her former teammates, dotting down four times in the match.
The Springbok Women’s speedster has now scored nine times for her new team, who has added a dangerous counter-attacking thread to their game.
However, the Dames still need to work on their discipline, having conceded two yellow cards at Hermanus High School, but they are now firmly established as a serious title contender.
The Queens remain the only side in the competition without a win and based on the weekend's showing, will have to show more commitment on defence to stop their opponents from scoring if they want to change that.
Scorers:
Free State Women 17 (5), Sharks Women 34 (10)
Free State – Tries: Nomfundo Pampiri, Robyn Strydom, Nelly Skosana. Conversion: Bernice Strydom.
Sharks – Tries: Nomonde Mbanjwa (2), Phatheka Dzanibe, Mbali Bukhosini, Zinhle Ndawonde, Snenhlanhla Shozi. Conversions: Mary Zulu (2).
DHL Western Province 22 (5), Bulls Daisies 10 (5)
WP – Tries: Voice Ndou, Donëy Filies, Camelitha Malone, Raeeqah Hendricks. Conversion: Anja le Roux.
Daisies – Tries: Unathi Mali, Zintle Nonkasana.
Golden Lions Women 24 (5), Border Ladies 38 (21)
Lions – Tries: Nthabiseng Monyemore (2), Provia Mashiane (2). Conversions: Masingita Simango (2).
Border – Tries: Yanga Ndabeni, Aphiwe Ngwevu (2), Sese Mbodli, Zintle Holofela, Thando Hena. Conversions: Pinkie Touto (3), Yandisa Nobanda.
Sanlam Boland Dames 49 (25), EP Queens 0 (0)
Boland – Tries: Anita Tom, Thanie Yeko, Nobuhle Tshabalala, Lulu Tyibilika, Nomawethu Mabenge (4). Conversions: Yeko (3). Penalty goal: Yeko.