Gauteng goes back-to-back at SA Women’s IPT

Gauteng North gave it a mighty fine try, but it was too little, too late as Gauteng celebrated a successful A-Division title defence in the South African Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship on Friday.

The defending champions posted formidable 8 – 1 conquests against Border and Ekurhuleni in the first two rounds that effectively guaranteed them victory, but the team still hoped to finish the week at Umhlali Country Club with an unbeaten run.

A feisty Gauteng North showed up for the final tussle with plans of their own, though.

The Daisies revealed they were ready to tango when they squared the foursomes with a win, a loss and one game halved and the side was in a commanding position after reigning Nomads SA Girls champion Danielle du Toit beat Gauteng number one Kajal Mistry 3 & 2 and Lindi Coetzee knocked out Symone Henriques 2-up.

Eleonora Galletti hit back for the defending champions and beat Eugenie Clack 2-up, but Gauteng North revelled in a 5 – 4 result after Marne Clack, Larissa du Preez and Lenanda van der Watt halved the last three games.

“The girls gave it everything they had and it was an incredibly tight fight to the end, especially in the last three games,” said Gauteng A manager Sheryl Matthews after the team won the A-Section with a six games points advantage.

“The girls were disappointed because they really wanted to finish the championship on a high note, but on the day, Gauteng North was the stronger side and all credit to them on their performance.

“This team may be very young, but they showed incredible depth of character and maturity beyond their years to bring home the trophy again. I am incredibly proud of their fighting spirit and their commitment to the team, to Gauteng Ladies Golf and to each other.”

Meanwhile Ekurhuleni led the foursomes 2 – 1 in the other top draw match against Border and scored a near clean sweep in the singles to win 7 – 2.

Border’s Siviwe Duma beat Carmen Taljaard 6 & 5, but Casandra Hall replied with a 6 & 5 win against Yolanda Duma and Sarah Bouch Teagan Lubbe, Caitlyn MacNab and Jenefer Haw piled on the rest of their points.

Ekurhuleni and Gauteng North both ended the week on four points, but the Daisies edged into second spot on the final log with a lone games point advantage.

Western Province A finished the week at the top of the Division 2 standings after beating Gauteng B 5 – 4 in their final match. Boland handed Gauteng North B an 8 – 1 drubbing, but earlier losses meant that Gauteng B finished second, Boland third and Gauteng North B in the final spot.

A-SECTION – Division 1
Gauteng A 4 vs Gauteng North A 5
Border 2 vs Ekurhuleni 7

A-SECTION LOG – Division 1
(Pos-Union-Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-Points-Matches won)
1 Gauteng A (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 20)
2 Gauteng North A (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 14)
3 Ekurhuleni (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 13)
4 Border (3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 7)

A-SECTION – Division 2
Western Province A 5 vs Gauteng B 4
Boland 8 vs Gauteng North B 1

A-SECTION LOG – Division 2
(Pos-Union-Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-Points-Matches won)
1 Western Province A (3, 3, 0, 0, 6, 16.5)
2 Gauteng B (3, 2, 0, 1, 4, 15.5)
3 Boland (3, 1, 0, 2, 2, 15.5)
4 Gauteng North B (3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 6.5)

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.

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