AVBOB Griquas Women claimed their first provincial women's title on Friday, overcoming the Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 31-25 in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 final at Mbombela Stadium to dethrone the defending champions.
The Pumas led 17-7 after 30 minutes, with tries from prop and captain Mbali Mzizi, fullback Alicia Mahlalela and a stunning 60-metre solo effort by inside centre Pauline Sianga, who took the restart, sold a dummy and went the length to score. Griquas cut the deficit before the break through captain Jennielee van Nel, with flyhalf Juanine Jacobs' break laying the groundwork, and fullback Inga Qogi's conversion made it 17-14 at halftime.
The visitors started the second half with sharper ball-handling and hooker Lindokuhle Sinaze crossed to put Griquas ahead 19-17. Van Nel then scored her second after a tap penalty was kept alive through multiple phases, and Qogi's conversion extended the lead to 26-17 after 55 minutes.
Mahlalela's second try, a neat inside-out dart, cut the margin to four points and set up a tense finish, but replacement centre Tyrell Wilson proved the difference. Her direct running drew penalties from the Pumas defence, and she eventually worked her way over from a tap penalty to push Griquas out to 31-22. Winger Sandisile Mkhabela landed a long-range penalty to make it 31-25 with ten minutes remaining, but Griquas' rush defence held firm through a tense finale to secure the title.
Scorers — Pumas 25 (17): Tries: Mzizi, Mahlalela (2), Sianga. Conversion: Mkhabela. Penalty goal: Mkhabela. Griquas 31 (14): Tries: Van Nel (2), Sinaze, Wilson. Conversions: Qogi (3). Penalty goal: Qogi.