The Free State Women delivered a strong second half performance in Bloemfontein, overhauling the EP Queens by scoring 14 unanswered points as they claimed their first win of the season at Toyota Stadium, by 21-12.
Both sides had their moments in the opening half, but it took just over 20 minutes for the first score. Free State No 8 Kamohelo Makoele broke the deadlock to hand her side a deserved lead.
The Queens then broke open the game with two quickfire tries. First fullback Siphenathi Yeko showed her soccer skills when she kicked ahead to dot down, with her conversion squaring things up. Just before the break, lock Esethu Mbongisa crashed over and suddenly the visitors were ahead.
Credit to Free State who rallied strongly in the second half to score two more tries. That was made easier by serious ill-discipline from the visitors, who conceded no less that three yellow cards in the second stanza, making the job of finding holes in their defence easier for the Bloemfontein side.
Left wing Nontobeko Mohuli’s try saw the home team retake the lead after an hour of play, before Makoele scored a second try to seal the deal for the Free State, 12 minutes from time.
Scorers:
- Free State Women 21 (7) – Tries: Kamohelo Makoele (2), Nontobeko Mohuli. Conversions: Juanine Jacobs (3).
- EP Queens 12 (12) – Tries: Siphenathi Yeko, Esethu Mbongisa. Conversion: Yeko.
