The Netherlands maintained their 100 per cent start to the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship 2024 with a bonus-point 31-7 victory against Portugal in Lisbon.
Having beaten Sweden 59-0 in their opening match in Amsterdam on 3 February, it took less than seven minutes for the Netherlands to take the lead at CAR Rugby do Jamor, as Elisabeth Boot touched down.
Jet Metz converted but Portugal, making their debut in the competition, soon drew level as Mariana Marques became the first Portuguese player to score a Women’s Championship try and captain Daniela Correia added the extras.
That is the way the scoreline stayed until the final 10 minutes of the first half. However, unconverted tries from Lieve Stallman and Anouschka Beukers gave the Dutch a 10-point lead at the break.
Nicky Dix added a fourth try 12 minutes into the second half, before Beukers touched down for a second time with 10 minutes remaining to add some gloss to the Netherlands’ win.
The result keeps the Netherlands at the top of the Women’s Championship standings, having won both of the matches played so far with a bonus point.
They remain 15th in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini having gained no rating points in victory due to the gap between the teams. Likewise, Portugal are still 27th, one place and 0.26 points below Madagascar.
Portugal are next in action on 9 March, when they host Sweden in Lisbon, before they travel to Spain to take on Las Leonas three weeks later.
The Netherlands will not play again in the competition until 6 April, when they contest their third and final match, against Spain in Amsterdam.
(Photo credit: Rugby Europe)