DHL Western Province won big to maintain their lead at the top of the standings while the Bulls Daisies and Border Ladies claimed bonus-point victories in the fourth round of the Women’s Premier Division staged over the weekend.
Despite the absence of their national players – who are on duty with the Springbok Women at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar – the likes of DHL WP and the Bulls Daisies continued to dominate their opponents in the domestic league.
The first match of round four was a historical affair, with DHL WP playing their first game at Athlone Stadium and the decorated Veroeshka Grain leading the team in her 50th appearance. The Mastercard Golden Lions Women fought hard to stay in the contest and only trailed by seven points at half-time. Thereafter, the hosts put on a show and finished with a seven-try haul.
After three matches, the Capetonians have claimed a maximum of 15 log points and currently lead the Premier Division table by virtue of a slightly better points difference. The Bulls Daisies are the only other undefeated side in the league, thanks to their 34-0 win against the Cell C Sharks Women this past Saturday. Having also accumulated 15 points after three matches, they remain in contention for a first-place finish.
The Daisies were in control from start to finish at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. Even without a host of national players, they scored six tries – with wings, Ayanda Malinga and Maria Tshiremba contributing two apiece.
More history was made this past weekend when the Boland Dames hosted the Border Ladies at the Vredenburg Rugby Club on Saturday. The defending champions took a 24-5 lead into the break but were made to fight tooth and nail to secure a victory.
Bok Women No 8 Aseza Hele underlined her class with a hat-trick of tries for Boland, and the hosts managed to outscore their more fancied opponents in the second half. Ultimately, Border held on for a 31-22 bonus-point win – a result that keeps them in touch with DHL WP and the Bulls Daisies at the top of the Premier Division standings.
Border currently sits in third place with 14 points. There is a significant gap between the tournament’s top three sides and the chasing pack.
EP Queens and Mastercard Golden Lions Women (fourth and fifth respectively) both sit on five points, while the Cell C Sharks Women sit on four. Boland is at the foot of the table with two points and is yet to win a game in this year’s campaign.
Round 4 scoring summary:
DHL Western Province 44 (17) Mastercard Golden Lions Women 10 (5)
DHL Western Province – Tries: Nokubonga Siko, Lauren Adams, Voice Ndou, Alichia Arries, Xola Masakala, Alicia Willemse, Chuma Qawe. Conversions: Selladean Pietersen (2).
Mastercard Golden Lions Women – Tries: Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Piwokuhle Nyanda.
Cell C Sharks Women 0 (0) Bulls Daisies 34 (22)
Bulls Daisies 34 (22) – Tries: Kyla de Vries, Ayanda Malinga (2), Unathi Mali, Maria Tshiremba (2). Conversions: Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zintle Nonkasana.
Boland Dames 22 (5) Border Ladies 31 (24)
Boland Dames – Tries: Aseza Hele (3), Sivuyisiwe Sisusa. Conversion: Theresa Ruiters.
Border Ladies – Tries: Chuma Delubom, Owethu Nayiphi, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Zindile Masuku, Khanya Ketani. Conversions: Siphenathi Yeko (3).