AVBOB Griquas Women and the Griffons Women recorded significant victories in the sixth round of the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 on Saturday, while the Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women delivered yet another strong performance to remain unbeaten as semi-final hosting rights were locked in.
Griquas scored 29 second-half points at Greenhaven Stadium in Groot-Brakrivier as they overhauled a fast-starting SWD Eagirls side to win 29-26 in a dramatic afternoon in the Garden Route, while the Griffons scored late at Olën Park in Potchefstroom to secure an important victory over their neighbours, the Leopards Women.
The Pumas confirmed hosting rights for one of the two semi-finals to be played in two weeks’ time when they delivered another solid performance with a 32-5 win over the Valke Women at White River Rugby Club.
The unbeaten Mpumalanga side, who will have a bye next weekend, finished top of the standings and will host a semi-final, while Griquas will finish in second place irrespective of the round seven results and will host the other playoff clash.
The Pumas (30 log points) and Griquas (21) will host the semi-finals, while the Griffons (14), Eagirls (12) and Leopards (11) will battle it out for the final two spots in the playoffs.
Their visit to Groot-Brakrivier was memorable for the team from Kimberley, who scored five second-half tries to seal the deal in what was a match of two halves indeed.
The Eagirls dominated the opening 40 minutes, with their backline very sharp on attack. Centres Jerononique Murphy and Antoneica Hannies, and wing Chante Jonck scored tries, and at 19-0, the Greenhaven crowd was happy. Griquas conceded two yellow cards in the half, which did not make their jobs any easier.
The second half was a complete turnaround and some tactical changes from the coaching staff played a big role in that. Replacement fullback Inga Qogi opened Griquas’ account two minutes into the second half with a try, and scrumhalf Mihle Sezelwa added a second seven minutes later.
A third try for the visitors, scored and converted by centre Tyrell Wilson, broke the match open and scores were tied at 19-19 with more than 20 minutes to play.
The Eagirls regained the lead when Murphy scored her second, with the conversion pushing ahead by 26-19, but an unconverted maul try by the visitors pulled them back to 26-24. Griquas flyhalf Juanine Jacobs scored a try six minutes from the end which proved the difference for Griquas.
The Pumas had to overcome a spirited start by their visitors from the East Rand and eventually recorded a comfortable win. Flyhalf Pauline Sianga scored a converted try 10 minutes in to ease the nerves, but the Valke dotted down 10 minutes later to keep things tight.
A brace by Megan Guambe, which eased the home side into a comfortable 17-5 lead at the break, increased the centre's tally to 10 tries for the season.
The second half was more to the liking of the White River fans, as their team added three more tries to their tally without conceding any more points.
The Griffons scored a crucial win in Potchefstroom in a match which the home side will not look back at with much joy, especially after giving away much of the early match momentum.
The visitors were out of the blocks quickly when centre Thato Rantai got the opening try six minutes in, with the reliable boot of scrumhalf Pinkie Touto adding the extras.
A second try by the Griffons, this time by hooker Tshepiso Matelile, added to the home side's misfortunes. Touto converted that one too, and suddenly all the pressure was on the Leopards.
Trailing 14-0 at the break brought some tactical changes from the home coaches and that seemed to work as they pulled a try back when prop Sisanda Magoda scored 10 minutes into the second half. A second try on the hour, this time by replacement flanker Portia Mariquele, cut the lead to just four points and the Leopards had all to play for.
Unfortunately, like last week against Griquas, the home side conceded late when Rantai got her second in the 78th minute of play, taking the win and a possible bonus point away from the Leopards.
A memorable win for the Welkom side, but another weekend of missed opportunities for the North West outfit.
Scorers:
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 32 (17), Valke Women 5 (5)
Pumas – Tries: Alucia Mathebula, Pauline Sianga, Megan Guambe (2), Sasa Mkhabela (2). Conversion: Sinaga.
Valke - Try: Evidence Tinoota.
Leopards Women 10 (0), Griffons Women 19 (14)
Leopards – Tries: Sisanda Magoda, Portia Mariquele.
Griffons – Tries: Thato Rantai (2), Tshepiso Matelile. Conversions: Pinky Touto (2).
SWD Eagirls 26 (19), AVBOB Griquas Women 29 (0)
SWD – Tries: Jerononique Murphy (2), Antoneica Hannies, Chante Jonck. Conversions: Hannies (3).
Griquas – Tries: Mihle Sezelwa, Juanine Jacobs, Tyrell Wilson, Lindokuhle Sinaze, Inga Qogi. Conversions: Wilson, Qogi.