The University of the Western Cape (UWC) claimed bragging rights and also opened a 10-point gap at the top of the Hollywoodbets Super League log standings following a 3-1 win over the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in one of the Varsity Derbies this weekend played in Cape Town.
In the encounter, the home side lost the services of midfielder Sibulele Holweni to injury, and she was also withdrawn from the Banyana Banyana squad that left for the USA on Sunday (17 September).
UWC 3 – 1 TUT
The victory however sees them on 60 points after 22 rounds of fixtures – three games more than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, whose match this past weekend vs Durban Ladies was called off due to safely concerns.
According to the current fixture list, the Brazilians will not return to action until 30 September, along with UWC and JVW who all have three or more players in the Banyana Banyana squad that is currently in the USA to face the hosts in two friendly matches (21 and 24 September 2023 in Cincinnati and Chicago respectively.
With the points on the table, UWC has shown real improvement from last season as they finished their campaign on 68 points after 30 games. The Capetonians have now won nine encounters in succession, and are left with eight games to the end of the season.
This was TUT’s fourth loss in a row and they find themselves on position 11 with 21 points.
FIRST TOUCH LADIES 2 – 1 MA-INDIES LADIES
First Touch Ladies won the Limpopo Derby 2-1, and condemned Ma-Indies to their 13th defeat on the trot, further pushing them into the relegation quagmire.
Ma-Indies last tasted victory on 22 April when they beat City Lads Ladies – but since then it has been downhill for them.
They have six points from two wins – and have suffered 21 losses in total.
With the win, First Touch Ladies have enhanced their chances of a top eight finish. They are 10th on 27 points – four behind Durban, and six adrift of Richmond Ladies who are ninth and eighth respectively.
JVW 4 – 0 CITY LADS LADIES
Hosts JVW had no mercy for the troubled City Lads Ladies at the Tsakani Stadium. The Eastern Cape side returned home empty handed following a 4-0 drubbing, with a hattrick from Keolebogile Putu, while Bongiwe Thusi added one from the penalty spot.
The Blue Diamond are now on 47 points, just three behind Sundowns Ladies, but the Brazilians have three games in hand. JVW had also rested the influential pair of Robyn Moodaly and Gabriela Salgado who are now on Banyana Banyana assignment in the US.
City Lads remain 13th on 17 points.
COPPERBELT LADIES 0 – 0 RICHMOND UNITED
Copperbelt Ladies and Richmond United could not be separated in Polokwane after they played to a goalless draw.
This was the first game without goals in the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League since 19 March this year between Royal AM and TUT.
The result has helped neither Copperbelt Ladies nor Richmond United in their hopes of finishing in the top eight.
But the Northern Cape side is better off as they are in eighth position while the hosts are 12th.
COAL CITY WIZARDS 2 – 5 ROYAL AM
Royal AM kept their title aspirations on track with a 5-2 win over the struggling Coal City Wizards.
The clash took place at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, which was the first match of a double header at the venue.
This was Coal City’s 18th loss of the season in 23 games.
Royal AM are fourth on the table, with 46 points – one behind JVW in third place.
TS GALAXY QUEENS 1 – 1 THUNDERBIRDS
In the second fixture of the double header, TS Galaxy Queens were held to a 1-all draw by second from bottom Thunderbirds Ladies who are fighting hard to retain their Hollywoodbets Super League status.
With two matches in hand, the Rockets have not done themselves a favour with this result as they still harbour hopes of challenging for the league title.
They are fifth on the table on 42 points – four behind Royal AM.
TS Galaxy were without Nomvula Kgoale who is on national team duty with Banyana Banyana.
Thunderbirds have 11 points from 23 games.
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA 1 – 0 UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
In the second Varsity Derby of the weekend, the University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) bounced back to winning ways at the expense of fellow students, the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) in Pretoria.
Tuks Ladies found the winner in the 71st minute against a stubborn UJ Ladies – the first round clash ended in a 2-all draw.
With a game in hand, the Pretoria outfit is sixth on 41 points – three more than their Johannesburg counterparts who are seventh on the log standings.
The hosts were without prolific striker Wendy Shongwe who has travelled with Banyana Banyana to the USA.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS:
SATURDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2023
Copperbelt Ladies 0 – 0 Richmond United
JVW 4 – 0 City Lads Ladies
First Touch 2 – 1 Ma-Indies Ladies
UWC 3 – 1 TUT
Sunday, 17 September 2023
Coal City Wizards 2 – 5 Royal Am
Ts Galaxy Queens 1 – 1 Thunderbirds Ladies
University Of Pretoria 1 – 0 University Of Johannesburg
By Matlhomola Morake
