Bulls Daisies kick off three-peat campaign in style
WRAP: The Bulls Daisies showed their mean business as they kicked off their title defence in sublime fashion.
The back-to-back Women’s Premier Division dismantled EP Queens 90-5 in Round One of the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday.
The Bulls Daisies headed to Gqeberha as favourites and they did not disappoint. They scored 14 tries.
Hayden Groepes’ troops came out with intent and after the first quarter had a 12-0 lead.
The Pretoria side used their forward dominance to good effect, with the rolling maul a big weapon, while in the second half, their bench provided even more impact.
It was a memorable day for wing Shaunique Alexander, who scored her first try for the Daisies.
EP Queens managed to break the deadlock thanks to Johnerecia Booysen, however, Bulls Daisies were just too good and after 60 minutes had a 69-5 advantage.
The side added 21 unanswered points in the closing 20 minutes and cruised to a 90-5 win.
Last year’s finalist WP Women were also on the winning side at the False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town.
Stanley Raubenheimer’s team recorded a 53-13 win over Cheetahs Queens.
Azisa Mkhiva scored the hosts’ first try of the match before Voice Ndou picked up a hat-trick of tries, handing Province a 39-13 lead.
Cheetash Queens were in the game until halftime, having scored two tries but had no reply when the home side upped the tempo in the second half. WP eventually added to their tally for the 53-13 win.
Aseza Hele was on fire in Wellington, scoring five tries in the Boland Dames 57-20 bonus point win over the Golden Lons from Johannesburg. The Boland Dames pack was in full control and scrummed the Lions pack all around Boland Stadium, while their speedy backs executed well when possession, scoring four tries.
Flyhalf Lara Schats enjoyed the day behind a dominant pack and kicked six conversions.
The Border Ladies outscored their northern coastal neighbours the Sharks by three tries to nil for a 17-6 win in East London, something new Sharks Women’s coach Jason Hector will not be pleased about.
The home side held a 10-6 lead at the break following two tries to two Mary Zulu penalty goals, and added another converted try in the second half, while the Durban side could not add any points.
The results and scorers:
Western Province 53 Free State Women 13
For WP:
Tries: Azisa Mkiva, Anushka Groenewald, Anelisiwe Mxabo 2 Voice Ndou 3, Shaunique Hess, Thandile Mazwi.
Cons: Sesethu Mtshazi 2, Elme Kruger 2.
For Cheetahs Queens:
Tries: Natasha Motlomelo, Alida Strydom.
Pen: Thamie Yeko.
Border Ladies 17 Sharks Women 6
For Border:
Tries: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lilitha Vakalisa 2
Con: Bridgette Coetzee.
For Sharks:
Pens: Mary Zulu 2
EP Queens 5 Bulls Daisies 90
For EP:
Try: Johnerecia Booysen.
For Bulls
Tries: Micke Gunter 2, Faith Tshauke 2, Byrhandre Dolf, Shaunique Alexander 2, Chumisa Qawe 2, Jakkie Cilliers, Patience Mokone, Zintle Nonkasana, Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga.
Cons: Cilliers 10
Boland Dames 57 Golden Lions Women 20.
For Boland:
Tries: Aseza Hele 5, Felicia Jacobs, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Macaela Samboya.
Cons: Lara Schats 6.
For Golden Lions:
Tries: Thobile Msizazwe 2
Cons: Klarissa van der Linden 2
Pens: Van der Linden 2
*Picture credit: @BullsDiasies & @WPWomenRugby
*Additional Source: SA Rugby
