The Belgian women's XV team played its first internatuional match today for more than two years. Traveling to Amsterdam , the Belgian Lionesses bowed against the Netherlands with their heads held high. And come home with more benchmarks.
Report from Sportkipik.be
Relaunched by Belgium Rugby, the Belgian national team has resumed service with a trip to Amsterdam. Coaches Renaud Labardant, Cathy De Geyter and Sophie Clément had taken over a team made up of experienced players but also young women with a promising future.
At home, the Netherlands dominated the first half, scoring five tries to lead 27-0 at the break. Despite a big difference at the athletic level, the Belgians did not give up after the break.
The Lionesses thus delivered a better second half with better defence and some good counter-attacks which were however not successful. They conceded three tries and lost 44-0. A score that does not really reflect the mentality and the potential displayed by the Belgian fifteen.
"It was a good benchmark match. We now have a benchmark," explained Hélène Simon after the match. "There is a lot of news and therefore a lot of promises. We will now be able to work on the basis of something to face Portugal in a month".
The Belgian women's team will indeed prepare for its return to competition. She will travel to Portugal on December 4 as part of the European Trophy.
Netherlands: 1 Irene Jansen; 2 Anouk Veerkamp; 3 Brechtje Karst; 4 Mhina De Vos; 5 Micha1a Van Capel 6 Inger Jongerius; 7 Judith Frinking; 8 Linde Van Der Velden (C); 9 Pleuni Kievit; 10 Renate Jansen; 11 Lieve Stallmann; 12 Qven Makkinga; 13 Bowien Manuhutu; 14 Noa Donkersloot; 15 Jordan Heil; 16 Sydney De Weiier; 17 Lynn koelman; 18 Nicky Dik; 19 Robin Wubben; 20 Liza De Wild; 21 Juda Verhoeven; 22 Robin Zuiderhoek; 23 Esmee Ligtvoet; 24 Inge Van Der Velden; 25 Merel De Goot
Belgium: Claire Andries (Kituro); Manon Bertin (Rooster Mosan); Julie Bijnens (Boitsfort); Norah Chahab (Kituro); Jade Cloof (Dendermonde); Hannah Design (Dendermonde); An-Marthe Ingelaere (Curtrycke); Jeanne Marquegnies (Frameries); Nele Michem (Dendermonde); Céline Minon (Rooster Mosan); Laetitia Mulenda (The Hulpe); Elodie Musch (The Hulpe); Laurie Prignon (Kituro); Lorisse Ranger (The Hulpe); Aude Risselin (Kituro); Marie Rutsaert (Leuven); Hélène Simon (Kituro); Line Sobczak (Frameries); Charlotte Timperman (Gent); Clotilde Toussaint (Namur); Noémie Van de Poel (The Hulpe); Nele Van Den Hassevelde (Dendermonde); Selina Vaneyst (RC9); Sarah Verzin (Boitsfort); Romanie Yserbyt (Curtrycke)