A dominant second half, which saw centre Nicole Kennedy run in an 18-minute hat-trick, saw Netherlands women run out 34-0 winners against Greece at Rugby Club Sparta, Rotterdam. The Oranje women led only 8-0 at half time against determined opponents but finished with seven tries in a comprehensive display to end the international year.

Netherlands women’s head coach, Matt Rigby, commented: “I’m really happy with the girls’ work ethic and commitment towards what we’re building here. It was a tough first half, but they really shone through in the second, taking control of the game and fully deserving the result. I’m delighted with the clean sheet as well; the defensive performance was exceptional.”

In their two meetings with Greece to date, Netherlands have yet to concede a point. In cold but clear conditions, it took 25 minutes for the deadlock to be broken with Hiske Blom getting on the end of a set play in midfield to open the scoring, Fiona Kalf unable to convert.

Seven minutes later, Monischa Hiermons found her way over out wide, Lisanne van het Schip wide with the conversion attempt. London Broncos’ Kennedy got the Netherlands off to a dream start after the break with the first of her three tries, Kaylee Geerlings now on kicking duty adding the goal.

Fullback Blom added her second out wide, Sydney Kalf following her in and Kennedy’s second and third scores, either side of the hour-mark, put the game beyond doubt, Geerlings adding two further conversions.

“Regardless of the score, we said before the match to celebrate the small wins, which the girls did supporting each other and not giving up,” said Greece women’s head coach Nikolas Stephanou. “I’m happy that even within the match we could see the girls grow and adjust. 

“Sidar Timurturkan stepped up by playing both at centre and second row for a full eighty minutes. She is of Kurdish heritage and has faced difficulties in the past in matters of nationality, but through the beauty of rugby league she proudly represented Greece today. The next plans are to carry on progress and increase the number of 13-a-side games we have back home in our domestic programme.”