The defending champions and runners-up in the Women’s Premier Division, the Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, scored convincing wins in the opening round of the 2024 season on Saturday, while Sanlam Boland Dames and the Golden Lions Women also started their campaigns with impressive home victories.
In East London, the Daisies had a 31-12 lead at the break before pulling away in the second half to beat Border Ladies 57-12 at Police Park. The visitors scored nine tries in the romp, with the superior fitness of the Pretoria outfit proving crucial in a hard-fought match.
With the Daisies backline given good attacking ball by their powerful pack, winger Unathi Mali scored three tries, while new signing Saneliswe Charlie celebrated her debut with two tries.
DHL Western Province had an equally strong second half against Sharks Women at City Park in Cape Town, winning 66-27 after leading 28-27 at the break.
The Sharks had a strong first half and an early 19-7 lead after two tries by wing Ulender Khumalo. WP, with scrumhalf Camelitha Malone in good form, came back strongly in the second part of the half and pipped the Sharks going into the break.
The second half was one way traffic, with the WP bench upping the tempo as well. The visitors could note create any scoring opportunities for themselves in the half, while the free-running Capetonians scored a number of long distance tries.
In Alberton, the Golden Lions Women held a 15-7 lead at halftime and scored two more tries in the second half for a 25-7 victory over the EP Queens.
The visitors rallied well after two early Lions tries and scored one of their own to cut the home side’s lead to 10-7, but then fell away as the host team upped the tempo, with wing Stella Ncube bagging her first hat-trick of the season. Both teams will have to work on their tackle technique though as they conceded two yellow cards each for high tackles.
At Boland Stadium in Wellington, the Sanlam Boland Dames won 46-7 against newly promoted Free State Women, after holding a 22-0 lead at the break.
The Boland forwards have held their own over the last couple of years and it was more of the same in their season opener, as they scored four tries amongst themselves, but the Dames’ opponents will be mindful of a potent backline this year.
Chuma Qawe, playing at flyhalf, proved a handful and scored a brace, while Springbok Women wing Maceala Samboya, playing at fullback, bagged her first try of the season.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 66 (28), Sharks Women 27 (27)
- WP – Tries: Camelitha Malone (2), Mari Dalhouzie (2), Anelisiwe Mxabo, Beyonce du Plessis, Megan Kannemeyer, Zaydene Frans, Raeeqah Hendricks, Sinazo Mcatshulwa. Conversions: Danelle van Zyl (8).
- Sharks – Tries: Phatheka Dzanibe, Anesipho Malgas, Ulender Khumalo (2). Conversions: Mary Zulu (2). Penalty goal: Zulu.
Sanlam Boland Dames 46 (22), Free State Women 7 (0)
- Boland – Tries: Yola Lumko, Anita Tom, Sinesisa Vuso, Nompumelelo Mathe, Chuma Qawe (2), Lulu Tyibilika, Maceala Samboya. Conversions: Qawe (3).
- Free State – Try: Angelique Strydom. Conversion: Inge Sander.
Border Women 12 (12), Bulls Daisies 57 (31)
- Border – Tries: Thando Hena, Sese Mbodli. Conversion: Yandisa Nobanda.
- Bulls – Tries: Unathi Mali (3), Sizo Solontsi, Lusanda Dumke, Xolelwa Diliza, Sanelisiwe Charlie (2), Sophy Mashapa. Conversions: Byrhandre Dolf (6).
Golden Lions Women 25 (15), EP Queens 7 (7)
- Lions – Tries: Akhona Nkosi, Piwo Nyanda, Stella Ncube (3).
- EP – Try: Sibabalwe Klaas. Conversion: Xenia Muller.
Scare Stone
Sachin Tendulkar was the first cricketer to be dismissed by third umpire using television.
DanimalDaze
Women had been playing cricket as far back as the 1700s. Villages in Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire held their own local and inter-village tournaments. Prizes for the games included lace gloves and barrels of ale.