The SWD Eagirls will defend their Women’s First Division title against the Free State Women in Bloemfontein on Saturday, as DHL Western Province and the Cell C Sharks scored significant victories in the Women’s Premier Division, while the Bulls Daisies again secured a full house of points to remain the only undefeated team in the competition.
DHL Western Province overcame Border Ladies 20-7 at a cold, wet and windy City Park in Cape Town, with three second half tries easing the host team into a very impressive win. The result also cemented their second position on the log and with only two matches left in the league phase of the competition, the Capetonians can now start thinking about hosting one of the two semi-finals next month.
Scores were tight at the break, with Border leading 7-5 thanks to to a converted try, but in the second stanza, the home side found too many openings in the Ladies’ defensive line, with left wing Alichia Arries in particular full of running.
The Cell C Sharks finally got their groove back in Durban with a convincing four try win over the EP Queens. The 29-5 bonus point victory was much needed as it pulled them back into contention for the semi-finals.
The KwaZulu-Natalians’ backs finally came to play with two well executed tries by Zinhle Ndawonde and Sandiso Ndlangamandla the highlight of the day. Ndawonde used her power and Ndlangamandla her pace to get over the try line in a performance that might just indicate a return to some form for the Durbanites.
The Bulls Daisies again scored four tries in their 24-10 win over Boland Dames in Ceres, but they had to dig deep to grind out the win. The Dames are the only side that could keep the Daisies in check this season and are still in with a chance to make the semi-finals, so still have much to play for.
The Daisies made several personnel changes for this match and that impacted on their cohesion but continue to be perform at a level above their opponents. They already secured a home semi-final and it is hard to see anyone coming close to beating them this year.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 20 (5), Border Ladies 7 (7)
WP – Tries: Alichia Arries (2), Shaunique Hess, Vernique Afrika.
Border – Try: Owethu Nayiphi. Conversion: Siphenathi Yeko.
Cell C Sharks Women 29 (15), EP Queens 5 (5)
Sharks – Tries: Zinhle Ndawonde, Sandiso Ndlangamandla, Noluthando Mbambo, Ntobeko Mathupha. Conversions: Mary Zulu (3). Penalty goal: Zulu.
EP Queens – Try: Robyn Strydom.
Boland Dames 10 (0), Bulls Daisies 24 (12)
Boland – Try: Aseza Hele. Conversion: Demi Nel. Penalty goal: Nel
Daisies – Tries: Lusanda Dumke, Maria Tshiremba, Jakkie Cilliers, Asithandile Ntoyanto. Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (2).
Women’s First Division:
Free State Women and the SWD Eagirls will meet in the Women’s First Division final the at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday after winning their semi-final matches.
The Free Staters scored 14 tries in their 74-5 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women at the Toyota Stadium, with fullback Sne Mdletshe and centre Nomfundo Pampiri both getting hat-tricks. Mdletshe scored twice in the first half and Pampiri got her second and third tries in the second half in yet another commanding win for the Bloemfontein side, who lead 42-0 at the break.
The defending First Division champions, the SWD Eagirls, has a much tighter match against the Leopards Women, their opponents in the 2022 final.
Scores were tied up 10-10 at the break in George, with both teams scoring twice. In the second half though, the home side got the better of their visitors from North West, outscoring them 12-5 at Outeniqua Park to claim a hard-fought 22-15 win.
Scorers:
SWD Eagirls 22 (10), Leopards Women 15 (10)
SWD – Tries: Euphinia Fillis, Yolandi Sampson, Shannon-Lee Windvogel, Chante Jonck. Conversion: Antonecia Hannies.
Leopards – Tries: Baby Plaatjies (2), Vianca Boer.
Free State Women 74 (42), Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 5 (0)
Free State – Tries: Afika Mbengo, Elizna Fortuin, Kirileng Namane, Simone Ras, Ruby Tlhapane, Bernice Strydom (2), Nomfundo Pampiri (3), Sne Mdletshe (3), Fox Nche. Conversions: Strydom, Thotwane Ntlhafu.
Limpopo – Try: Jibrine Dube.
BoomerBox
Still on the subject of cricket superstitions, the player with the most rituals performed during a match is arguably Neil McKenzie of South Africa. Before a game, for example, he would attach his cricket bat to the ceiling with tape. When it’s time for him to bat, he would check all the changing room lights to make sure they were shut off and that the toilet seats were down.
Danqqqqq
The Man of the Match title is awarded to the player who has contributed the most to make the best impact in a match or series. This title was first used in cricket and can be awarded to any player, whether his team has won or not. The only cricketer to have won the title four consecutive times is Sourav Chandidas Ganguly. The left-handed Dada played for the national team of India.