Girls U16 in Exciting Start
]In the main games of the day in the SA Rugby Girls Under-16 Week at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg, a missed conversion by the Sharks on the stroke of full-time saw Western Province pip them 20-19, while Border scored a try in the dying seconds against South Western Districts to secure a 22-20 victory.
Western Province and the Sharks both ran hard on attack, and tried to spread the ball wide, which they balanced with a strong display up-front, and the match was close until the last minute as the Sharks crossed the try-line for their third try. This pushed them within range of snatching a victory, but their conversion attempt was unsuccessful and they had to settle for the heart-breaking defeat.
The clash between Border and South Western Districts was equally gripping as the teams entered halftime at 5-5 before South Western Districts broke away with two tries to lead 15-5, which Border matched. South Western Districts got back into the lead as the half progressed, but they were denied in the dying seconds as Border forced their way over the try-line to nudge their way to a 22-20 victory.
The Leopards, meanwhile, registered the biggest win of the day in the Under-16 Girls week as they ran in seven tries to defeat the Griffons 41-0 thanks to a fantastic display all around. Thozama Nyeleku and Likhona Sibhenye each crossed the try-line twice, with the latter adding three conversions for a rewarding 16 point haul.
Eastern Province also registered a solid 17-0 victory against hosts, the Golden Lions, as they scored two converted tries and a penalty goal, while the hosts struggled to find rhythm on attack.
The clash between Boland and Free State was a tight tussle as both teams threw everything at one another using their big forwards and speedy backs, but Boland edged through for a 29-20 victory thanks to braces by Lee-Ann Yman and Niveena Jantjies.
The Pumas were also made to work hard for their 24-17 win against the Griquas, as both sides tried to gain ascendancy using their forwards, but the Mpumalanga side’s more effective execution saw them score four tries: two of which were by Kamohelo Mokoena – to three by the opposition.
The Blue Bulls, meanwhile, delivered a solid second-half performance to defeat Border Country Districts 15-5 after a tight first half in which the sides entered the break tied at 5-5. Limpopo put their speed out wide and ability to read the game to good use against Western Province B as they built up a 26-19 halftime lead en route to their 36-24 victory. They scored five tries, one of which was by Martina Shai who also slotted over four conversions and a penalty goal in the match.
The SA Rugby Girls Under-18 Week will kick off on Tuesday at Jeppe High School for Boys, while the Under-16 players have the day off to rest before Wednesday’s second round.
Results Girls U16, Day 1
Boland vs Free State, 29-10
Limpopo vs Western Province B, 31-19
Eastern Province vs Golden Lions, 17-0
Blue Bulls vs Border Country Districts, 15-5
Pumas vs Griquas, 24-17
Leopards vs Griffons, 41-0
Western Province A vs Kwa-Zulu Natal, 20-19
Border vs South Western Districts, 22-20
Fixtures for Girls Under-18 Day 1 – Tuesday, 26 June
10.00: South Western Districts vs Western Province
10.00: Leopards vs Border Country Districts
11.15: Boland vs Kwa-Zulu Natal
11.15: Griffons vs Pumas
12.20: Border vs Limpopo
12.20: Eastern Province vs Griquas
14.30: Free State vs Golden Lions
15.45: Blue Bulls vs Zimbabwe
