The Sanlam Boland Dames scored six tries in their 35-15 victory over DHL Western Province to maintain their good start to the Women’s Premier Division season in Wellington on Saturday, while the Bulls Daisies retained their unbeaten status with a 24-3 win over Free State Women in Bloemfontein in the second round.
The Sharks Women opened their account by beating the Golden Lions Women 29-17 in Durban, while the Border Ladies claimed Eastern Cape bragging rights in Uitenhage, outscoring the EP Queens by six tries to one for a 36-5 victory.
These results leave the Daisies and Dames as the only unbeaten sides, while the Queens and Free State are yet to secure a win.
The Sanlam Boland Dames had to withstand a ferocious first-half onslaught from their neighbours from Cape Town, but their defence stood up to the challenge. A break-away try by wing Arthea King, where she beat a number of defenders on a 50m dash, swung the momentum towards the home side.
The Dames scored a number of well-worked tries, with two by right-wing Nomawethu Mabenge already contenders for try of the tournament. The visitors deserve credit though, as they refused to lie down, but in the end, they were simply beaten by a better side on the day.
The Daisies toiled away in Bloemfontein in a frustrating match for the defending champions. They held a well-deserved 17-3 lead at the break and extended that to 24-3 early in the second half, but a red card to lock Vainah Ubisi on the hour mark and a yellow card soon after resulted in the visitors playing the last stanza with 13 players.
To add to their frustrations, the home side managed to hold up would-be try-scorers over the line at least three times.
The Ladies' side took complete control in the second half of their match against the Queens and in the end secured a convincing win. Scores were tight at the break, with the visitors leading by only 10-5, but four unanswered tries by the East London side proved their credentials.
The Sharks Women made the most of home-ground advantage in Durban and did not disappoint their fans, beating a durable Golden Lions Women's side in a hard-fought match. They lost influential captain Tayla Kinsey to injury after 30 minutes but kept their cool for a good win.
Speedy right-wing, Ulender Khumalo, again dotted down twice after her brace in Cape Town last weekend. She is now the leading try-scorer alongside Golden Lions wing Stella Ncube, who also added a try after her hat-trick last weekend.
Scorers:
Free State Women 3 (3), Bulls Daisies 24 (17)
Free State – Penalty goal: Bernice Strydom.
Bulls – Tries: Vainah Ubisi, Lusanda Dumke, Rumandi Potgieter, Zintle Nonkasana. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandre Dolf.
Sharks Women 29 (17), Golden Lions Women 17 (7)
Sharks – Tries: Silindile Dladla, Zinhle Ndawonde, Ulender Khumalo (2). Conversions: Mary Zulu (3). Penalty goal: Zulu.
Lions – Tries: Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen, Piwo Nyanda, Stella Ncube. Conversion: Nyanda.
Sanlam Boland Dames 35 (15), DHL Western Province 15 (3).
Boland – Tries: Nokubonga Siko, Theresa Ruiters, Arthea King, Lulu Tyibilika, Nomawethu Mabenge (2). Conversion: Chuma Qawe. Penalty goal: Qawe.
WP – Tries: Azisa Mkiva, Sinazo Mcatshulwa. Conversion: Alicia Willemse. Penalty goal: Willemse.
EP Queens 5 (5), Border Ladies 36 (10)
EP – Try: Zintle Nini.
Border – Tries: Sinathi Mzamo, Phelisa Mrwebi (2), Zintle Holofela, Phola Mbonja, Lilitha Vakalisa. Conversions: Holofela (3).