Phoenix win Women’s Rugby Trophy

Phoenix Rugby Club won the women’s rugby trophy on Saturday after beating Reho Pandas 17-14 in a close final.

The lead changed hands a few times before a great individual try by Phoenix fullback Christel Kotze midway through the second half secured their victory.

Phoenix took an early 7-0 lead when centre and captain Geraldine Louw crashed over next to the posts, with flyhalf Yanneke Law adding the conversion.

Phoenix continued to attack but wasted two great scoring chances through knock-ons by wing Denise Manuel and lock Cherelda Coetzee with the try line beckoning.

Pandas weathered the storm and soon capitalised when hooker Melissa Mouton crashed over from a loose maul and with centre Sade Eimann adding the conversion the teams were level at 7-all.

Pandas started to control the set phases and gain territorial advantage and stretched Phoenix’ defence with numerous attacks in the final stages of the first half.

Their pressure finally told when hooker Mouton crashed over for her second try after numerous attacking phases and with Eimann adding the conversion they took a 14-7 lead at the break.

Phoenix made a determined comeback in the second half and after a fine attack by scrumhalf Fulchen Bock, lock Lee-Ann van der Bank went over for an unconverted try to reduce the gap to 14-12.

Phoenix pushed hard to regain the lead and wing Monique Buys nearly went over after a fine solo run but she was tackled into touch metres from the tryline.

They finally got the breakthrough with 10 minutes remaining through a great solo try by fullback Christel Kotze who turned on the pace to beat Pandas’ cover defence and touch down. Law missed the conversion but Phoenix were 17-14 ahead and managed to maintain their lead till the end.

Phoenix captain Geraldine Louw was ecstatic with the result and commended her team mates on a fine comeback.

“It was a difficult game, both teams are very strong, but the best team won in the end and I’m very proud of my ladies – we had a tough year but somehow we made it on top,” she said.

“It’s usually a tight game between two very strong teams, but we are a family at Phoenix and worked as a team and we showed that we always come back very strongly,” she added.