Big wins for Unam, United 

Defending champions FNB Unam Bokkies and Trustco United both got off to big wins as the Women’s Rugby League got underway over the weekend. 

Unam thrashed FNB Wanderers 50-5 at the Unam Stadium, while United beat FNB Grootfontein 65-5 at Grootfontein. 

At the Unam Stadium, the home side took an early lead when scrumhalf Yvonne Kooper snatched up a loose ball and sprinted 50 metres to touch down in the first minute, with flyhalf Michelle Slinger adding the conversion.

Unam’s forwards maintained the pressure with prop Mandy Hansen going over from a maul, but Wanderers opened their account when flyhalf Mandie van Staden touched down after they took a quick tap penalty. 

Unam soon stretched their lead when rightwing Klaudia Josef went over in the right hand corner, as they headed into halftime with a comfortable 19-5 lead. 

Unam upped the tempo after the break as they ran in five more tries at regular intervals. Slinger was their star player, scoring three tries and five conversions for a personal tally of 25 points, while prop Hansen added a second try, and replacement forward Helena Shuumbwa one try in a dominating display. 

At Grootfontein, Trustco United completed a resounding 65-5 victory against FNB Grootfontein. United, who led 29-0 at halftime, scored 11 tries in total, with eighthwoman and captain Geraldine Louw and fullback Roberta Flavio scoring three tries each; centre Tishina Basson and left wing Richardine Gaya two tries each, and scrumhalf Mbitjita Matuzee one try, while Fabio added two conversions for a personal tally of 19 points. 

FNB Rehoboth also got off to a winning start after beating Oceans Rugby Club 17-3 in a tough encounter at Rehoboth. 

Rehoboth scored three tries through left wing Winn-Lee Olivier, eighthwoman Rachel van Wyk and lock forward Riselda Goagoses, while flyhalf Pione van Rooyen added a conversion. 

Reho Falcon and Kudus were both late withdrawals from the league after not fielding enough players.