DHL Western Province Women reaffirmed their status as the favourites to defend their Women’s Premier Division crown as they thumped the Boland Dames 56-10 in the Cape derby in Wellington on Saturday, to claim their seventh win in a row.
The Capetonians were in fine form, scoring nine tries to add to a first-half penalty try, while they limited the hosts to a converted try and penalty goal by flyhalf Demi Nel to earn their seventh successive victory of the season.
The Boland Dames started the match strongly by applying consistent pressure on attack and their efforts paid off as Nel dashed through a hole in the defence to score, and she added the extra two before slotting a penalty goal to hand her side a 10-0 lead.
They found themselves under pressure soon after as two players were sent to the sin bin within minutes of one another, and the Capetonians capitalised on this with Springbok Women’s wing Veroeshka Grain touching down for their first points of the match.
They were awarded a penalty try soon after as a player was tackled off the ball denying them a sure try, and and Shaylin Simons (wing) added another five-pointer as she touched down in the corner on the stroke of halftime to hand the team a 17-10 lead.
Boland were dealt a massive blow soon after the restart as Theresa Ruiters (scrumhalf) received her second yellow card for a dangerous tackle, which saw her being sent off for the remainder of the match, and Simons took advantage of this to score her second try which Zintle Mpupha (centre) converted to increase their lead to 24-10.
The visitors continued to stamp their authority as the match progressed with Nomkhita Chuba (replacement prop) darting through the defence to touch down and Nopinky Mazwi (flank) followed after sustained pressure close to the tryline.
Alichia Arries (replacement wing) added her name to the scoresheet early in the fourth quarter using her speed to dash to the line, and Mazwi followed from a pick-and-go to secure her brace.
With their confidence up the defending champions kept the scoreboard ticking until the end, with Kimberley Karassellos (replacement back) and Nokubonga Siko (No 8) scoring further tries to secure a satisfying 56-10 victory.
Scorers:
Boland Dames:
Try: Demi Nel
Con: Nel
Pen: Nel
DHL WP:
Tries: Veroeshka Grain, Penalty Try, Shaylin Simons 2, Nomkhita Chuba, Nopinky Mazwi 2, Alichia Arries, Kimberley Karassellos, Nokubonga Siko
Cons: Zintle Mpupha 2