All smiles after another big win for the Free State Women.

Women’s First Division

The Free State Women completed the league phase of the competition with an unblemished record on Saturday, running riot in Middelburg to beat the Pumas Women by 135-0. The visitors were regarded as favourites, and the win cemented top spot on the log and hosting rights in of one of two semi-finals to be played next weekend.

Free State captain Bernice Strydom – the tournament’s leading points’ scorer before the last round – scored 52 points against the Pumas, with eight tries and six conversions in what is a new record for the most points scored by a women’s player in a first-class match in South Africa.

The Bloemfontein side will meet Limpopo Blue Bulls Women, who despite a 36-10 defeat to the SWD Eagirls, hung onto fourth spot, which means a trip to Bloemfontein next weekend.

The Eagirls will host the Leopards Women in the other semi-final in George after finishing second on the log. The Leopards, runners up last year after losing in the final to the Eagirls, finished third thanks to a 60-12 victory over the Valke Women in Kempton Park, with fullback Vianca Boer bagging three tries.

Griquas Women finished their season on a high note as they outplayed neighbours, Griffons Women 37-15 in Kimberley.

Scorers:

Valke Women 12 (7), Leopards Women 60 (31)
Valke – Tries: Matshediso Bojosi, Tanya Shava. Conversion: Sima Kaulela.
Leopards – Tries: Khumo Sefako, Thembakazi Fulela, Lonika Maartens, Baby Plaatjies (2), Vianca Boer (3), Mpho Tsima, Abigail de Jager. Conversions: Maartens (5).

Pumas Women 0 (0), Free State Women 135 (61)
Free State – Tries: Welmarie Fouche (4), Natasha Motlomelo, Afika Mbengo, Kamohelp Makoele (3), Bernice Strydom (8), Nomfundo Pampiri, Sne Mdletshe, Goitseone Nche, Natz Makhubela. Conversions: Strydom (6), Shandre Fouche (8), Makoele.

Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 10 (5), SWD Eagirls 36 (24)
Limpopo – Tries: Nokuthula Mahaole, Delsy Mkansi.
SWD – Tries: Shannon-Lee Windvogel, Andisiwe Goniwe, Antonecia Hannies, Thereza Roberts, Nicole-kay Flandorf, Yolandi Simpson. Conversions: Hannies (3).

Griquas Women 37 (20), Griffons Women 15 (5)
Griquas – Tries: Nelly Skosana, Nomvila Sekosana, Vee Mosala, Wiandra Onke, Antoinette Kotze (2), Lana Hendricks. Conversion: Lauren Januarie.
Griffons – Tries: Tshepiso Matelile, Pinkie Touto. Conversion: Touto. Penalty goal: Touto.

Final standings after seven leagues games (with log points):
1 Free State Women – 35 points
2 SWD Eagirls – 30
3 Leopards Women – 24
4 Limpopo Blue Bulls Women – 20
5 Valke Women – 17
6 Griquas Women – 11
7 Pumas Women – 5
8 Griffons Women – 0