Žil Eanes Women beat Alavarium Women 29:23 in the 1st Division on Thursday. The home side took all three points from their opening fixture, while the visitors found themselves still searching for a win at the top end of the table.
By then the result hardly required much explanation. Žil Eanes controlled proceedings from start to finish, and their 29 goals against 23 for the visitors spoke to a comfortable evening. The hosts needed the points badly after a mixed start to the season, and they delivered.
Recent form had been uneven for both sides. Žil Eanes had lost 24:25 to San Pedro de Sul and 18:31 to Benfica before pulling away against Braga in a 35:32 thriller. Alavarium, meanwhile, had drawn with their previous opponent and were looking to build momentum. This time they came up short.
The standings now reflect the gap between the two. Žil Eanes sit second with three points from one game, while Alavarium remain fifth with just a single point. The home side's high line was picked apart less frequently than expected, and they kept their side in it throughout.
This win extends Žil Eanes' recent positive trajectory. They had nothing to lose and played with that freedom, turning it around after the break when the score was tighter. Alavarium were left flat-footed in the final stages, unable to mount a meaningful response.