Pumas to Host Griquas

 The Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women will have the opportunity to defend their Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 title against AVBOB Griquas Women after the teams from Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape won their semi-finals on Saturday.

The Pumas outplayed the Griffons Women by 34-7, while Griquas defeated the SWD Eagirls 27-10 to qualify for the final for the first time. The decider will be hosted for the second consecutive in Nelspruit next weekend.

Both matches were a solid reflection of the talents in the Pick n Pay WSL 2 with some telling performances at Mbombela Stadium and Suzuki Stadium helping the home sides to deserving victories. Credit to Griffons and SWD though, as they emptied their tanks in their surge to glory.

The Pumas did not have it their own way in Nelspruit, as the Griffons came to play. The first half delivered plenty of attacking opportunities, but the finishing was poor on both sides, with handling errors often the problem. The Griffons’ defence deserves some plaudits though, as they often forced the Pumas into making mistakes.

The only try of the half was scored 10 minutes in when Pumas flanker Sam Ngcobo dotted down, with Sandisile Mkhabela adding the extras, but for once the home side did not get that fast start that became a trait in their league matches.

Not so in the second half though. Two tries in quick succession by fullback Alicia Mahlalela pushed the lead up to 17 points and that brought some calmness into the home side, leading to better decision-making when in possession.

A try that started behind their goal-line then gave the Pumas a final push towards victory. Mkhabela started a counterattack and in a blink Pauline Sianga scored.

The Griffons kept trying though, with outside centre Luhle Mpiko a constant threat. They were rewarded with a try 63 minutes in, but it was too little too late from the Welkom side.

Instead, the Pumas replied with two more tries and the knowledge that they will be back om home turf defending their title next weekend.

Griquas were out of the blocks first in Kimberley when outside centre Sibabalwe Jobo finished off a counter-attack that started in the Eagirls’ half and after six minutes, they were leading 7-0.

The next quarter belonged to the Eagirls though as they dominated territory and possession but just lacked the finishing touches to make it count. The home side defended very well though, keeping out the Southern Cape attackers.

Instead, Griquas grabbed back the ascendency and again, it was their counter-attacking instincts that resulted in two tries, taking them to a 19-0 lead.

First centre Jennielee van Nel scored from a move started in their own half 25 minutes in and when flyhalf Juanine Jacobs converted, the lead was 14. Five minutes later, SA U20 lock Nonkosi Ngema scored from an attacking lineout, after a brilliant 50/22 kick by Jobo pushed her team right onto the SWD line.

Trailing 19-0, SWD had a mountain to climb in the second half, but they accepted the challenge. An early try in the half by wing Mai-Lee Matiwane started eating into Griquas’ lead and when they scored again 10 minutes from time, it was game on.

Unfortunately try-scorer Antoneica Hannies, who ran all of 40 metres to dot down, missed the conversion, but at 19-10 SWD were back in it. Griquas kicked a penalty goal four minutes later to extend their lead to 22-10 and sealed the deal when replacement prop Nicole van Wyk scored three minutes from time.

The venue, date, and kick-off time of the final will be confirmed in due course.

Scorers:

Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 34 (7), Griffons Women 7 (0)

Pumas – Tries: Sam Ngcobo, Pauline Sianga, Sandisile Mkhabela, Alicia Mahlalela (2), Skhulile Mabuza. conversions: Mkhabeka (2).

Griffons – Try: Lemohang Maduna. Conversion: Pinky Touto.

AVBOB Griquas Women 27 (19), SWD Eagirls 10 (0)

Griquas – Tries: Nonkosi Ngema, Jennielee van Nel, Sibabalwe Jobo, Nicolene van Wyk. Conversions: Juanine Jacobs (2). Penalty goal: Inga Qogi.

SWD – Tries: Mia-Lee Matiwane, Antoneica Hannies.