It was tense in the final minutes as the Leopards came back strongly from being 17-3 down, scoring two tries, and at 17-16 both sides could still claim the trophy before a penalty goal by SWD flyhalf Marnazelle Rabie sealed the deal on the buzzer, handing Eagirls coach Elize Arendse a memorable home title on Women's Day.

Both teams had nervous starts. The Leopards twice conceded possesion in their 22 with some over eager ball distribution, while the Eagirls blew a very promising attack with a sloppy pass.

A good break by Verana van Heerden had the Eagirls in trouble early, but the Leopards fullback ran out of support and the opportunity was lost. To add to the visitors’ woes, their lineout was in shambles as well early on and they lost their first three throws.

The home side then had a good spell. They came close but lock Euphinia Fillis was pinged for a double movement as she reached for the tryline. Moments later she was over the line again, only to lose the ball in the tackle, trying to dot down.

Once again, the momentum swung and dangerous outside centre Teddy Boer almost scored the Leopards’ first try after a great break, but a desperate cover tackle forced her into touch five meters from the SWD line.

At this stage the Leopards were dangerous on the counter-attack, with Boer a menace and flyhalf Marli George identifying open spaces quite well and soon after, left wing Baby Plaatjies was also stopped near the SWD line.

Credit to the home side though, who held out and when it mattered, used their limited chances well.

SWD scored the first try close to the half hour mark after a wayward touch finder by the Leopards gave the home side some open spaces to work with, and centre Shannon Pieterse barged her way over from a ruck close to the line. The conversion was good and the home side had money in the bank.

One thing about this Leopards team though, they kept coming and from good defensive pressure, got their first points just before the break. SWD was penalised for holding on in their 22 and Van Heerden kicked a penalty goal to cut the SWD lead to four points.

The second half delivered more tension and drama. The visitors, now with the wind in their backs, enjoyed early territory, but could not utilise that momentum, with the Eagirls again staying in the fight with some desperate defence and solid breakdown play.

Rabie extended the Eagirls’ lead with a penalty goal ten minutes into the half before leading try-scorer in the competition, Shannon Lee Windvogel struck a crucial blow. The wing was put into space 40m out and stepped around two Leopards defenders to score a gem of a try. Rabie converted and suddenly the lead was 17-3.

The Leopards came back strongly. Van Heerden was held up over the line, but a poor clearance by the Eagirls did not relieve the pressure. Instead, SWD conceded a yellow card and from the resulting attack, lock Nadine van Reenen scored to cut the lead to 17-8 with a quarter of play to go. Van Heerden kicked a second penalty goal to cut the lead to six points.

The home side was hanging on, but just as the Leopards kept charging. Left wing Plaatjies got a second for the Leopards with the clock approaching the last five minutes, but Van Heerden's conversion from wide out was to the left and the Eagirls still had a one-point lead.

Rabie then kicked the final points to secure a second title in three years for the Eagirls.

Scorers:

SWD Eagirls 20 (7) – Tries: Shannon Pieterse, Shannon Lee Windvogel. Conversions: Marnazelle Rabie (2). Penalty goals: Rabie (2).

Leopards Women 16 (3) – Tries: Nadine van Reenen, Baby Plaatjies. Penalty goals: Verana van Heerden (2).