The EP Queens secured their first win of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division season on Saturday, while there Sanlam Boland Dames and DHL Western Province recorded good victories in their round eleven fixtures.
Both Western Cape sides picked up bonus point wins, with WP (46) still in second place on the log, three points ahead of Boland. The Bulls Daisies (50) lead the standings, while Border (29 points) and the Sharks Women (26 points) are in a tight race for the remaining semifinal spot next month.
The EP Queens secured a close 15-10 win over Free State Women in Gqeberha, much to the delight of coach Namhla Siyolo and her staff. Although they are still at the bottom of the log, they will take confidence for the remaining fixtures.
The home side held a 6-5 lead at the break and kept their noses in front until the final whistle at Wolfson Stadium. Veteran flyhalf Zaza Nojoko was the Queens’ hero as she kicked five penalty goals for her team. The visitors scored two tries, but could not get a third to even scores despite some promising attacks.
DHL WP’s bench proved lethal in their fixture against the Golden Lions Women in Alberton, where the Capetonians won by 36-15.
The home side were still in the game at halftime – trailing by only four points (14-10) with both teams having scored two tries – but once coach Stanley Raubenheimer called on his bench, it was game, set and match.
Three more tries followed in the second half, two of those by hot stepper Camelitha Malone. The visitors converted four of their five their tries, which eased the score board pressure.
Sanlam Boland Dames scored four second half tries in their match against Border Ladies to pull away to a 25-3 win in Mthatha. It was a tight first half, with a penalty goal by Thanie Yeko the only score.
The visitors hit their straps in the second half, with four well executed tries. Border could only reply with a Yandisa Nobanda penalty.
First win of the #WomensPremierDivision season for the Queens, while WP and Boland also recorded good victories - more here: https://t.co/WEgBAH93L2 👸#DareToPlay pic.twitter.com/aMGJ7j36mh
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 7, 2024
Scorers:
Border Ladies 3 (0), Sanlam Boland Dames 25 (3)
Border – Penalty goal: Yandisa Nobanda.
Boland – Tries: Aseza Hele, Amanda Klassen, Nomawethu Mabenge, Chuma Qawe. Conversion: Klassen. Penalty goal: Thanie Yeko.
Golden Lions Women 15 (10), DHL Western Province 36 (14)
Lions – Tries: Aretha Thomo, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Stella Ncube.
WP – Tries: Azisa Mkiva, Lihle Mzimkhulu, Anushka Groenewald, Camelitha Malone (2). Conversions: Anja le Roux (4). Penalty goal: Shamiela Muller.
EP Queens 15 (6), Free State Women 10 (5).
EP – Penalty goals: Zaza Nojoko (5).
Free State – Tries: Lonele Fuzile, Bernice Strydom.
SWD back to the top in the First Division
The SWD Eagirls are still undefeated in the Women’s First Division and look set to finish the season without having their wings clipped. They scored 14 unanswered tries against the Griffons Women in Welkom on Saturday, with their 84-0 victory the biggest of the competition four rounds in.
The Eagirls also moved back to the top of the standings after the Valke Women, who played a game more, lost to Griquas Women in Kimberley. The Valke remain second on the log.
The home side had a strong start at Suzuki Stadium and were 17-7 up at the break, before a strong surge by the East Randers in the second half closed the score to three points. Griquas hung on to win 27-24, but the Valke picked up two bonus points in the defeat.
The Pumas Women had their backline to thank for their 25-24 win over Limpopo Blue Bulls Women in Bethal. The backs scored all five their tries, but they failed to convert any of those, which almost cost them the game. Limpopo scored four tries, with two successful conversions bringing them within a point of the hosts.
Scorers:
Griquas Women 27 (17) Valke Women 24 (7)
Griquas – Tries: Elzonia Nel, Nicole van Wyk, Juanine Jacobs, Lidene Kruger, Donishea Cloete. Conversion: Cloete.
Valke – Tries: MJ Nakeng, Sandisile Mkhabela, Amu Lisenga (2). Conversions: Londeka Ntanzi (2).
Griffons Women 0 (0), SWD Eagirls 84 (31)
SWD – Tries: Danielle Jonas, Theresa Roberts, Tania Fatyela (3), Jerononique Chenille Murphy (2), Chante Jonck, (3), Shannon Pieterse, Destiny Daters, Neidene Solomons, Antoneica Hannies. Conversions: Hannies (7).
Pumas Women 25 (10), Limpopo Blue Bulls 24 (7)
Pumas – Tries: Sonia Khumalo, Nonthlanhla Ngwenya, Alicia Mahlalela, Madisa Skosana, Lihle Mbazina.
Limpopo – Tries: Jessica Mabitsela, Evelyn Mkhabele, Jibrine Dube, Thania Mabosi. Conversions: Mkhabele (2)