KWARU and Walker Babes set up Betway Women’s Club Championship final
Defending champions KWARU edged into a repeat final against Walker Babes after a dramatic 12-12 draw, while both semi-finals at Alberton Rugby Club were decided by the finest of margins.
The Betway Women’s Club Championship produced another day of close contests and big scores at Alberton Rugby Club on Wednesday, with defending champions KWARU and Walker Babes booking places in today’s final.
KWARU, the Eastern Province champions, held on for a dramatic 12-12 draw against local side Pirates in the first Premier Division semi-final, progressing to the final after scoring the opening try.
The defending champions will meet Walker Babes in today’s title decider at 13:10, in a repeat of last year’s inaugural final. KWARU won that encounter 17-14.
Semi-final action
The first semi-final was a physical contest from the opening whistle, with Pirates forced to absorb sustained pressure from KWARU.
The visitors eventually broke through after 10 minutes when flyhalf Julene Haas crossed in the right-hand corner.
Pirates responded in the 25th minute when right wing Andiswa Maseko scored near the right-hand corner, reducing the deficit to 7-5.
The momentum shifted further when KWARU flanker Pheliswa Mrwebi was shown a yellow card just before half-time.
KWARU nevertheless regained control and extended their lead with 13 minutes remaining when Yolanda Ntibane scored from a ruck close to the Pirates line.
With KWARU leading 12-5, Pirates needed something special in the closing stages.
That moment arrived with just a minute remaining when loosehead prop Sharon Baloyi crossed underneath the posts.
Former Springbok Rumandi Potgieter converted to level the scores at 12-12.
With tournament rules ruling out extra time, KWARU progressed to the final by virtue of scoring first.
Pirates will now face Pretoria Harlequins in today’s third-place play-off at 10:50.
In the second Premier Division semi-final, Walker Babes edged Harlequins 21-20 in another close encounter.
Walker Babes scored through hooker Yongama Delinkosi and flyhalf Ropha Madyah, while a penalty try sealed the win.
Harlequins responded through flanker Kamogelo Tlhaaka and a penalty try, with Klarissa van der Linden adding a conversion and two penalties.
Final placings
The remaining Premier Division teams also battled for their final positions.
Mqanduli Sharks defeated the Durban University of Technology 26-22, while Busy Bees beat Collegians Valkyries 29-19.
Busy Bees and Mqanduli Sharks will meet in today’s fifth-place match, while DUT and Collegians Valkyries will contest seventh place.
The First Division produced some of the day’s biggest scores.
Nelspruit continued their strong tournament with a 65-0 victory over Vaal University of Technology.
The Lowveld side ran in 11 tries, with Sesihle Maguga scoring three and Megan Guambe and Alicia Mahlalela each crossing twice.
Middelburg Stormers were also dominant, defeating Potch Dorp 66-5.
Ywaydha de Vos, Shanice Scholtz and Johnerecia Booysen each scored twice for the Stormers, while two penalty tries added to their tally.
Sol Plaatje University edged Titans 15-14 in another closely contested First Division match.
Sol Plaatje built a 15-0 lead before Titans fought back with two tries and two conversions, but the university side held on for the narrow victory.
Welkom also recorded a 19-0 victory over the University of Limpopo, with Thato Rantai scoring one of their three tries and earning player-of-the-match honours.
The final day at Alberton Rugby Club will see the remaining teams compete for their final tournament positions before the Premier Division title is decided.
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