The Bulls Daisies locked in top spot on the log and semi-final hosting rights in the Women’s Premier Division by beating DHL Western Province in Pretoria on Friday in a performance that can arguably be rated as their best of the season, while the race for the final spot in the top-four is still on.
The defending champions cannot be overhauled by anyone when the last weekend of the competition takes place next weekend, while DHL Western Province still sit pretty in second place despite the 59-21 mauling in Pretoria.
The Daisies had too much power for their Cape opponents and dominated them from the start. Province scored three tries but were too erratic on defence to slow their opponents down, with the Daisies’ pack totally in control throughout the match.
Sanlam Boland Dames, the only other side that can finish in second place, hit their straps as well by overpowering EP Queens 90-0 in Uitenhage on Saturday.
The Sharks Women, currently fourth on the log, also stayed in the semi-final race by beating Free State Women 36-14 in Durban, while Border Ladies, in fifth, kept the pressure on the KwaZulu-Natalians by beating Golden Lions Women 56-10 in East London.
The Dames scored 13 tries in Uitenhage and totally dominated their Eastern Cape foes. Two former EP players, Aseza Hele and Nomawethu Mabenge, had a field day against their erstwhile teammates, with Hele getting a hat-trick and Mabenge a brace of tries.
Border scored 10 tries themselves in their mauling of their Joburg visitors. They delivered an all-round performance, and the Lions’ defence could just not stop the all-out attack by the home side.
The Sharks got a full house in Durban on Saturday in their 36-14 win over their Bloemfontein opponents. They scored six tries, with speedy Ulender Khumalo keeping her try-scoring streak going with a hat-trick.
The host team had a 24-6 lead at the break and never looked like surrendering the lead.
Scorers:
Bulls Daisies 59 (33), DHL Western Province 21 (7)
Bulls - Tries: Lusanda Dumke, Faith Tshauke (2), Unathi Mali, Jakkie Cilliers (2), Patience Mokone, Zintle Nonkasana, Lebogang Ralebona. Conversions: Cilliers (6), Nonkasana.
WP - Tries: Anushka Groenewald, Camelitha Malone, Voice Ndou. Conversions: Donelle Snyders, Anja le Roux (2).
Border Ladies 56 (27), Golden Lions Women 10 (5)
Border - Tries: Owethu Nayiphi, Mado Mdliki (2), Sinalo Mtshizana (2), Yandisa Nobanda, Zintle Holofela, Aphiwe Ngwevu (2), Asi Plaatjies. Conversions: Nobanda, Holofela (2).
Lions - Tries: Sindiswa Ngwenya, Piwo Nyanda.
EP Queens 0 (0), Sanlam Boland Dames 90 (54)
Boland – Tries: Buhle Sonamzi, Aseza Hele (3), Felicia Jacobs, Theresa Ruiters (2), Ricci Hennig, Lulu Tyibilika, Nomawethu Mabenge (2), Chuma Qawe (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Qawe (6), Thanie Yeko (3).
Sharks Women 36 (24), Free State Women 14 (6)
Sharks - Tries: Nqabakazi Nqoro, Ulender Khumalo (3), Owami Zikhali, Nontobeko Mathupha. Conversions: Tayla Kinsey (3).
Free State - Try: Mihlali Jiyeza. Penalty goals: Inge Sander (3).
Leopards and SWD go big in First Division
The Leopards and SWD Eagirls scored massive wins in their encounters against Griffons and Griquas Women respectively, while the Pumas had a close victory over Valke Women in the Women’s First Division.
The Eagirls stayed top of the log with a commanding 62-10 win over their Northern Cape visitors, while the Leopards consolidated their second place on the log with a runaway 77-10 victory over the Griffons Women in Potchefstroom.
The Pumas secured a tight 21-17 win over the Valke in White River to move into third spot on the log. Both sides scored three tries, with the three conversions by Silindile Nyembe the difference. The Valke could only convert one of their five pointers and that proved the difference.
The SWD Eagirls were far too slick for the Griquas Women in Oudtshoorn and scored 10 tries to two in their 62-10 win. The home side were up 33-0 at the break and always in command, with their backline almost unstoppable. All their tries were scored by the backs, with wing Mia-lee Matiwane, bagging three.
It was a try fest in Potchefstroom as well, where the home side scored a runaway victory over the Griffons Women, by 77-10. The Leopards scored 13 tries and were up 46-5 at the break already. Fullback Verana van Heerden had a productive afternoon, scoring three tries and kicking five conversions for a personal haul of 25 points.
Scorers:
Pumas Women 21 (14), Valke Women 17 (5)
Pumas - Tries: Sibongile Morajane, Sonia Khumalo, Gert Msiya. Conversions: Silindile Nyembe (3).
Valke - Tries: Amu Lisenga, Lucia Yalezwa Xosana, Mj Nakeng. Conversion: Londeka Mthembu.
SWD Eagirls 62 (33), Griquas Women 10 (0)
SWD - Tries: Mia-lee Matiwane (3), Jernonique Murphy, Antoneica Hannies (2), Chante Jonck (2), Shannon Lee Windvogel (2). Conversions: Marnazelle Rabie (4), Hannies (2).
Griquas - Tries: Lauren Januarie, Reinett Carstens.
Leopards Women 77 (46), Griffons Women 10 (5)
Leopards - Tries: Martha Yokwane, Teddy Gatyana (3), Monique Reens, Marli George (2), Suane Buys, Abigail de Jager (2), Verana van Heerden (3). Conversions: George, Van Heerden (5).
Griffons - Tries: Tshepiso Matelile, Maki Molomosa