Bulls Daisies become back-to-back champs
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls Daisies showed they had no peers in the Women’s Premier Division when they successfully defended their title in the final against a gutsy Western Province side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night, with the 36-17 scoreline a solid reflection of the home team’s well-deserved victory.
The Daisies held a 17-0 lead at the break, courtesy of three tries, and they scored three more in a very tight second half when the visitors came storming back courtesy of three five-pointers of their own.
The first-half foundation by the Daisies was solid enough though and the opening try was scored only four minutes in by centre Chumisa Qawe.
The Daisies attacked strongly from a lineout and although WP managed to stop the first four waves of ball runners, Qawa’s midfield burst was unstoppable. Jakkie Cilliers converted from right in front and the hosts were off to the races.
The Pretoria team kept up the pressure and dominated field position in the opening quarter. Province did well with their rush defence tactic to disrupt the passing game of the Bulls, but that was never going to be enough.
The Daisies went back to their pack for impact and lock Vainah Ubisi broke a couple of tackles to score the second try of the match. Cilliers hit the upright with her conversion, but the 12-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of play.
WP started to get into the game, mainly through their backline, who were not scared to launch counter-attacking moves from anywhere on the field.
Wing Voice Ndou caused all sorts of problems with her acceleration off the mark and looked dangerous throughout, but the visitors were also guilty of rushing play when they were in good attacking positions.
The Daisies got their third try just after the half-hour mark. Qawe again straightened the line nicely and when the ball was worked back, lock Sinelitha Noxeke crashed over from short range.
WP had the best start to the second half though. They managed to hold onto the ball well and after a strong break, No 8 Logan Welman found herself in open space. She kept her cool and offloaded to wing Asiphe Mayaba, who raced in for a deserving try.
The conversion was wide, but moments later, WP was on the scoresheet again. From the restart, they recycled the ball and managed to get their backs running at the Daisies’ forwards. Centre Megan Kannemeyer ran hard and a great pass found Ndou, who scored her 17th try of the season.
The conversion by Alicia Willemse was good and suddenly the Daisies had a game on their hands, leading by 17-12. Cilliers then missed a long-range penalty effort to extend their lead, and the dynamics of the game seemed in balance.
However, thanks to a fine try by wing Unathi Mali, who finished after good phase play by her pack and Cilliers’ conversion, the Daisies’ lead was more comfortable at 24-12.
The Capetonians came to play and kept the Daisies honest for long spells, but the home team showed why they only lost once in two years. That is because they find a way and when right-wing Patience Mokone was worked into space with just over 10 minutes left for her 14th try of the season – with Cilliers adding the extras – the result was locked in, and the trophy engraver could start working on the Bulls Daisies inscription.
But the Daisies were not yet done and secured a perfect ending as their captain, Lusanda Dumke, fittingly scored five minutes before the end.
WP was beaten, but they still had fire in the belly and struck late in the match when Welman, now on the wing in place of an injured Ndou, raced in after some good stepping from Camelitha Malone opened up space.
What it meant 🥹#BullsDiaises | #WomenWhoDefyExpectations pic.twitter.com/T1e6xlkDFG
— BullsDaisies (@BullsDaisies) August 11, 2024
Scorers:
Bulls Daisies:
Tries: Chumisa Qawe, Vainah Ubisi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unathi Mali, Patience Mokone, Lusanda Dumke
Cons: Jakkie Cilliers 3
Western Province:
Tries: Voice Ndou, Asiphe Mayaba, Logan Welman
Con: Alicia Willemse
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Zintle Nonkasana, 14 Patience Mokone, 13 Jakkie Cilliers, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Unathi Mali, 10 Unam Tose, 9 Rumandi Potgieter, 8 Sophy Mashapa, 7 Faith Tshauke, 6 Lusanda Dumke (captain), 5 Sinelitha Noxeke, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Yonela Ngxingolo, 2 Xolelwa Diliza, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Günter, 17 Asithandile Ntoyanto, 18 Lebogang Ralebona, 19 Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 20 Anathi Qolo, 21 Mahlatse Nkhumishe, 22 Sesihle Maguga, 23 Naima Hlatshwayo
Western Province: 15 Doney Filies, 14 Asiphe Mayaba, 13 Shaunique Hess, 12 Megan Kannemeyer, 11 Voice Ndou, 10 Sesethu Mtshazi (captain), 9 Alicia Willemse, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Anelisiwe Mxabo, 6 Lihle Mzimkhulu, 5 Zandiswa Xozwa, 4 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 3 Thandile Mazwi, 2 Roseline Botes, 1 Anelisa Ndamase.
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anushka Ekron, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Mari Dalhouzie, 20 Bronishia Hess, 21 Camelitha Malone, 22 Shameila Muller, 23 Donelle Snyders.
Referee: Aneka Fick
