#TuksRugby: Tuks women's rugby team are chuffed to have defended the Carlton League title against Harlequins

Tuks women's rugby team are chuffed to have defended the Carlton League title against Harlequins

It is often said that winning a trophy is special, but the real test of character for any team is to defend the title afterwards.

If this is considered, then the Tuks' women's rugby team showed a lot of character on Saturday when they beat the Harlequins in the final of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union's Women's Carlton League. The final score was 17-9. Tuks won the title for the first time last year.

"Obviously, we were really chuffed to defend our title. Last year, when we played the final, we had nothing to lose; this time, we had everything to lose. We had to defend the title. It was the first time we had to do so. We did a pretty good job. I am super proud of the team," said the captain Jess Maré.

"The game started off pretty rough for us in the sense that for most of the game, Harlequins had us 'parked' in our "22" through brilliant tactical kicking. That was essentially the game. Us being under pressure. Defending.

"We kept our 'cool'. In the week leading up to the final, we focused a lot on improving our defensive play. It paid dividends. Harlequins could not break through our wall of defence. The goal was to hold out and, when the opportunity arose, to let it count.

"At the time when we were trailing by one point, we as a team decided it was time to make some magic. We went to capitalise on the mistakes Harlequins made, scoring two quick tries in the dying moments."

It was no surprise that Maré was named Player of the Match. It has been said that a camera doesn't lie. When TuksSport photographer, Reg Caldecott, was afterwards asked if he took any photos of Maré during the match, his answer was, "You wouldn't believe she's in just about every photo I took". This proves that Maré was in the thick of things for the duration of the match. Putting her body on the line. Leading by example.

Tuks's right winger, Kgahliso Mamphoke, also deserves to be mentioned. Every time she had the ball in hand, Harlequins' defence was tested. She ended up scoring the winning try. To her, it is all in a "day’s work" as she abides by a simple philosophy when she is on the attack. "That is to strike hard".

Mamphoke dedicated the try she scored to Tuks's coach, Lizanne Jacobs.

"As a team, we owed it to her to win the trophy as she has done so much for us. I started to wake up when we were trailing 7-9."