Daisies in full bloom as Dames and WP keep Pick n Pay WSL final hopes alive
The Isuzu Bulls Daisies delivered yet another commanding performance in Pretoria in the fifth round of the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1, while their most prominent opponents, DHL Western Province and the Sanlam Boland Dames, scored imported away wins to stay in title contention.
The Daisies scored 40 unanswered points in the second half against the EP Queens at Loftus Versfeld. to win 71-5, while the Dames pulled away in the dying minutes to beat the Golden Lions 40-22 in Alberton.
DHL Western Province also needed a strong second half to move past the Free State Women, winning 38-21 in Bloemfontein to remain potential finalists, while the Sharks Women won for the second weekend in a row, outplaying the Border Ladies 29-0 in Durban.
Daisies dismantle Queens with ease
The Isuzu Bulls Daisies stepped up another gear in Pretoria, scoring 11 tries as they pummelled the EP Queens by 71-5 in their Pick n Pay Women’s Super League clash at Loftus Versfeld.
For the defending champions, it was a productive afternoon as even with a tweaked squad, they still went through their gears smoothly against a willing EP side, who tried their best, but were simply outplayed and outclassed.
The second 40 minutes saw 40 unanswered points by the Daisies, with flanker Faith Tshauke scoring a hat-trick and wing Thobile Msizazwe grabbing a brace again after doing so last weekend as well.
The Daisies used a vast array of their attacking skills and mixed it up between backs and forwards, combining silky running with brute force. Based on this performance, the team from Pretoria look set to brush aside any contenders to their title.
Scorers:
Isuzu Bulls Daisies 71 (31) – Tries: Faith Tshauke (3), Sizophila Solontsi, Chuma Qawe, Camelitha Malone, Robyn Strydom, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo, Thobile Msizazwe (2). Conversions: Cilliers (5), Yandisa Nobanda (3).
EP Queens 5 (5) – Try: Yolanda Ntibane.
Sanlam Boland Dames rally late to beat Golden Lions
The Sanlam Boland Dames scored two late tries in Alberton to pull away and beat the Golden Lions Women in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League, but it was a much closer affair than the 40-22 scoreline suggest.
In fact, the home side took the lead – which changed throughout the match – for the last time with 10 minutes left on the clock, before the visitors responded in style in a win that will boost their confidence about the impact of their bench.
However, the Dames had a horrid start at Alberton Rugby Club in a match that started in rain and finished in sunshine. They could not gather the kick-off and in a blink the Lions scored to take the lead.
Boland could not get going, with a number of stray kicks and dropped passes, but in between played well enough in patches to score two tries, while the Lions also added a second for the 12-12 scoreline at the break.
The second half was much better from a rugby perspective, with the Lions grinding the Bolanders down, with lock Sharon Baloyi a real handful in their carries.
The visitors managed to claw their way back through excellent breakdown work by Buhle Somanzi and Aseza Hele and in the final minutes, found their groove when it really mattered. The final try, following a burst by Hele and soft hands by Eloise Webb and Veroeshka Grain, showed exactly why the Dames remain a contender in the tournament.
Scorers:
Golden Lions Women 22 (12) – Tries: Hlobisile Mbatha (2), Sharon Baloyi, Siphumelele Mdlalose. Conversion: Rumandi Potgieter.
Sanlam Boland Dames 40 (12) – Tries: Nompumelelo Mathe, Buhle Sonamzi, Aseza Hele, Ropha Madyah, Veroeshka Grain, Rufaro Tagarira. Conversions: Chloe Adams (3), Zintle Nonkosana.
DHL WP on track after strong second half in Bloem
The Free State Women were leading at the break of their Pick n Pay Women’s Super League clash against DHL Western Province, but the visitors switched gears in the second half to romp away for a comfortable 38-21 win, outscoring their opponents by six tries to three at Jim Fouche High School in Bloemfontein.
WP coach Jongi Nokwe will be pleased with the efforts of Donelle Snyders at flyhalf for the first time this season. She scored a try and kicked four conversions, and was named Player of the Match afterwards.
Nokwe’s team started well with Voice Ndou dotting down for a converted try, but a try by Free State wing Owami Mohuli, converted by Anelca Hess, levelled matters after 20 minutes.
WP took the lead again when debutant wing Faith Gosling scored against her former province, but another Free State try pushed them ahead at the break. No 8 Kamohelo Makoele scored and Hess was on target for a 14-12 lead at the halftime buzzer.
Babalwa Latsha dotted down shortly after the restart and Ndou got her second of the match as WP turned on the charm. Abrasive No 8 Logan Welman scored her customary try after 67 minutes, followed by Snyders, before the Free Staters, who never stopped trying, got the final try of the match in the 79th minute.
Ndou’s brace took her back to the top of the try scorers list in the competition. She has now scored eight tries in five matches.
Scorers:
Free State Women 21 (14) – Tries: Kamohelo Makoele, Lonele Fuzile, Nontobeko Mohuli. Conversions: Anelca Hess (3).
DHL Western Province 38 (12) – Tries: Donelle Snyders, Voice Ndou (2), Faith Gosling, Babalwa Latsha, Logan Welman. Conversions: Snyders (4).
Convincing Sharks Women beat Border in coastal derby
The Sharks Women finally came good in round five of the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League with a convincing 29-0 win over the visiting Border Ladies, outscoring their coastal neighbours five tries to nil.
It was their second win in a row after they lost their opening three matches and an effort closer to their potential.
The Border side though, continued their poor streak and have now lost five games in a row, something that is rare indeed.
The Sharks scored three tries in the first half for a 15-0 lead and two more in the second half, with both those converted by Mary Zulu.
Scorers:
Sharks Women 29 (15) – Tries: Lindelwa Gwala (2), Nontobeko Mathupha, Cebisa Gumede (2). Conversions: Mary Zulu (2).
Border Ladies 0 (0)
