Ekurhuleni show spunk to match champs

Western Province mowed down Southern Cape on day one to strengthen their bid for successive victories, but Ekurhuleni showed some serious spunk to match the defending champions with a winning start in the 58th South African Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship at the Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate on Wednesday.

In A Section action, Western Province capitalised on gentle morning conditions to score a clean sweep in the foursomes.

Zayb Fredericks, Kelly Erasmus, captain Kaylah Williams and Vicki Traut racked up four points to guarantee a 7-2 result for the defending champions.

Ekurhuleni had more work to do against former champions Gauteng after the two teams drew in the foursomes.

Kiera Floyd drew first blood for Ekurhuleni when she routed Eleonora Galletti 6 and 4 and Nadia van der Westhuizen backed her up with a 5 and 4 win over Marine Legentil.

Captain Caitlyn Macnab and Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play champion Casandra Hall both won 3 and 1 to take the team’s tally to four points.

Kera Healy hit back for Gauteng, beating Kyra van Kan 5 and 3, but Teagan Lubbe pushed home a 6½ and 5½ victory when she knocked out Kim Turgut 2 and 1.

Western Province and Ekurhuleni both gained two points, but the 2017 winners moved into the top spot in the log with a half-point games advantage.

In the B Division of the A

In A Section action, Western Province capitalised on gentle morning conditions to score a clean sweep in the foursomes

Section, local favourites Boland redeemed themselves after finishing in the bottom draw after the Seeding Round by routing Gauteng North 6½-2½.

The two teams tied in the foursomes, but Bianca Wernich at number one set Boland on a winning course when she defeated Shanice de Gee 8 and 6.

Annerie Coetzee, Crystal Beukes and Megan Streicher also won their matches, while Maggie Minnie and Shani Brynard halved against Daisies captain Larissa du Preez and Lenanda van der Watt respectively.

In Division one of the B Section, Mpumalanga and Border both made a superb start to the promotion battle.

Mpumalanga’s Petrone Rudolph and Nicola Schoeman won 5 and 3 and Chante Boonstra and captain Patrizia Lombard combined for a 4 and 3 to take a 2-1 lead over Western Province B into the foursomes.

In Division two of the B Section, Eastern Province and Northern Cape came up trumps in their first round clashes.

Having beaten Limpopo 2-0 in the foursomes, Cherilee Knoetze and Zahn Scholtz delivered the winning blows for Eastern Province to secure a 4-2 victory.