MADRID, 6 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s XV rugby team beat the Netherlands this Saturday in Amsterdam (5-22) on the second day of the European Women’s Rugby Championship, a result that puts the ‘Lionesses’ on the path to their eleventh continental title.
The attempts in the first half by Lía Piñeiro, Clara Piquero and Claudia Peña deactivated the ‘Oranje’, who only managed to close the gap in the second half. Now, Juan González Morocco’s team will have to finish the job in Trelleborg against Sweden next Saturday (3:00 p.m. Spanish peninsular time).
In the 2nd minute, Lía Piñeiro reached the Dutch goal line with a well-worked ‘pick and go’ to give confidence to the Spanish team. The Netherlands was placed five meters from the Spanish try line and only a defense to the limit, with a nullification by captain Cristina Blanco, managed to frustrate their intentions.
Spain became strong in the foot game, with the tactical kicks of Amalia Argudo and Claudia Peña that allowed the ‘Lionesses’ to gain meters with ease. Thus, in a ‘touch maul’ a rehearsed play made the three quarters bring out their magic, and Claudia Peña joined the line of attack for a textbook two for one with Claudia Piquero, ensuring that the one from Gijón took the second brand.
After receiving a kick, the Catalan defender’s counterattack came to light and she beat up to three defenders, with a counterfoot and a ‘dummy’ and went to the Dutch goal area to put the quarter at half-time at a comfortable 0-19 .
The second half was much more competitive. The Dutch regained hope with a try from Brechtje Karst, while the ‘Lionesses’ did not find the try again and only added with a kick from Claudia Peña for the final 5-22.