Dames and Daisies stay on winning track

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 Kariega, 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 neigbours 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 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).