EP Champions Indeed

“We are the Champions!” Eastern Province turned around a 13-0 half-time deficit to beat defending champions, the Blue Bulls, 22-13 in Saturday’s SARU Women’s Provincial League Finals, in Mdantsane, East London. Picture: Clinton Brown

"Our win was expected," exclaimed the enthusiastic Eastern Province coach, Eric Songwiqi. "As I look at the performance of my team, the way we played against Border, and the way we played against Western Province, and the 100-0 win against South Western Districs!"

And after three earlier unsuccesful Inter-Provincial finals against Pretoria’s Blue Bulls, coach Songwiqi’s well-drilled team finally shook off the monkey with a comprehensive reversal, when they turned around a 13-0 half-time deficit to walk away to record a stunning 22-13 victory and walk away with the champions cup. 

The Blue Bulls (left) forwards pack down against the Eastern Province forwards in earnest battle for supremacy. Picture: Clinton Brown

"Yes, I’m very happy," said coach Songwiqi, "Cause we have been preparing our team for quite some time, and we deserved to be in the final against Blue Bulls."

Always a contender in the annual women’s provincial rugby leagues, but with one final round-robin match, the Eastern Province still had to overcome a powerful Border side to qualify for a repeat finals berth against the A-Section log-leaders and multiple defending champions, the Blue Bulls. 

With the Blue Bulls try-line in sight, Eastern Province prepare to take the ball forward from the lineout. Picture: Clinton Brown

And that his side did in style, a comprehensive 58-19 victory in the final round-robin match against the East London side at Loftus Versveld, to set up a repeat chance of unseating the annual top-flight Highveld in East London.

"Now, it was 13-nil first-half," continued Songwiqi, "So I spoke to my team, the patterns we use when we play, at least they are good listners, and we take it from there."

Speed in attack was key in the Eastern Province’s victory. Picture: Clinton Brown

And ringing three inspired half-time changes, turn it around they did, the spirited Eastern Province team planting four tries without response by No. 8 Namhla Siyolo, substitute lock-forward Nocwaka Nopulala, fullback Zandile Nojoko, and a final try scored by captain and centre, Lorinda Brown, converted by Marilee Erasmus to raise the trophy high and proud.

Did the EP team think they could turn it around at half time? "Yes, really, really! Because, when I looked at the Blue Bulls, I told them, "Look, now we can take them." And my substitution was perfect, That is why we beat the Blue Bulls!’ exclaimed a triumphant Songwiqi. 

A loud and proud supporting crowd laud the deserved new 2007 SARU Women’s Provincial League Champions, Eastern Province. Picture: Clinton Brown

SARU Women’s Provincial League Finals, in East London on 6th October 2007, at the NY 1 Rugby Ground in Mdantsane, East London:

A Division:
Eastern Province 22 – 13 Blue Bulls
B Division:
KwaZulu-Natal 25 – 17 Free State