Dalkeith win Women’s National Bowl final 43 – 12 over Strathaven

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 13: General view of match action during the Women's National Bowl Final at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Back Pitches, on April 13, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

Player of the match, Dalkeith scrum half Amy MacNamara scored two tries and was involved in everything for the home side, as the Edinburgh side won the match 43 – 12.

A warm, but windy Sunday midday kick off on the Murrayfield campus back pitches greeted the two sides, as referee Alex Haskett gave the nod for Strathaven’s Caitlin Watt to get the match underway.

With the game in its infancy, it looked like Margaret Maitland might have been away down the left wing, but play was brought back for a Ravens forward pass in the build-up.

The first penalty of the game came for the Ravens due to a high tackle on Dalkeith’s 22 line. It was tapped quickly by vice-captain Jen Scally, but she was isolated in the following phase, and the home side escaped without punishment, and were able to clear their lines.

A brilliant attacking play looked certain to open the scoring for the Midlothian side, with centre Rachel McIntosh bursting down the right-hand side, and popping the ball when tackled, to Abbie Campbell, but she was dragged into touch on the 5m line.

The Ravens lineout was nicked though, and Lynsay Halliday bundled over the try line from the resulting lineout drive, by the corner flag. Leigh Bell, from the touchline, banged over the conversion with minimal fuss. (Dalkeith 7 – 0 Strathaven, 21 mins)

Dalkeith were in again shortly after, patiently poking and prodding their way down the field with ball in hand. The forwards went to work and Kira Turner crashed over the line for a second, but Bell couldn’t add the extras this time. (Dalkeith 12 – 0 Strathaven, 27 mins)

Strathaven bit straight back though. Penalties racked up for the home side as the Ravens built their way down field. A quick tap from Scally saw the away side reach inside the 22, before a popped pass to Fanny Helleux saw the Ravens break their duck. Davidson’s conversion attempt hit the post and crashed away. (Dalkeith 12 – 5 Strathaven, 33 mins)

Dalkeith scrum half Amy MacNamara, who was excellent in the first half, cashed in on a loose pass and crashed over to bring the home side’s lead back to 10 points with a kick to come. Bell knocked over the conversion, further extending the lead. (Dalkeith 19 – 5 Strathaven, 35 mins)

Half time: Dalkeith 19 – 5 Strathaven

Bell got play back underway and Dalkeith started the brighter side. From a scrum just inside Dalkeith’s half, MacNamara sniped from the back of the scrum and burst through tackles to reach into the Ravens’ 22, but the pop pass to a teammate was lost forward.

Dalkeith again made inroads through MacNamara and McIntosh, the latter was stopped just a metre out by a last-ditch tackle. From a subsequent penalty, which was tapped quickly, the ball was flicked back to fly half Bell, who spun out of a tackle and crossed over for the home side’s fourth try of the afternoon. Bell couldn’t add the extras to her own try. (Dalkeith 24 – 5 Strathaven, 52 mins)

The Ravens hit back though, through two quick taps from Scally, and a pop pass to Erin Hipson, who crashed over as Dalkeith retreated to not be offside. Lyndsey Gavin caught the conversion nicely and the flags were raised. (Dalkeith 24 – 12 Strathaven, 55 mins)

Dalkeith punctuated their strong performance with a fifth try – again stemming from a scrum in the midfield. From the back of the scrum, Kayleigh Roche went to the blindside and surged into the 22. MacNamara flicked a quick ball out to right winger Claire Brunton, who crossed over in the corner. Bell couldn’t add the extras this time. (Dalkeith 29 – 12 Strathaven, 63 mins)

Dalkieth notched a sixth try with about six minutes remaining – once again credit went to MacNamara. She was on the end of a string of passes and crossed over in the left-hand corner. Bell nailed the conversion from the touch line, meaning Dalkeith’s lead extended to 24 points. (Dalkeith 36 – 12 Strathaven, 74 mins)

With the final play of the game, McIntosh crashed over to put the seal on an equally impressive performance to her scrum half teammate’s. It came from a quick tap and pass from MacNamara, and put the icing on Dalkeith’s cake. Bell smashed over the conversion. (Dalkeith 43 – 12 Strathaven, 79 mins)

Full time: Dalkeith 43 – 12 Strathaven

Team sheets

Strathaven Ravens

15. Caitlin Watt
14. Isla McStay
13. Fanny Helleux
12. Jen Scally (vice-captain)
11. Margaret Maitland
10. Claire Davidson
9. Priya Richardson

1. Isla Robertson (vice-captain)
2. Rachel Rawlinson (captain)
3. Lesley Barrie
4. Carolyn Collard
5. Julia Mathieson
6. Jo Martin
7. Steph Davidson
8. Erin Hipson

Replacements
16. Jo Young
17. Louise Cooke
18. Caty Dawson
19. Lyndsey Gavin
20. Katy Russell
21. Lee Watt
22. Pauline Black

Dalkeith

15. Tegan McLean
14. Claire Brunton
13. Rachael McIntosh
12. Sarah Hayhurst
11. Abbie Campbell
10. Leigh Bell
9. Amy MacNamara

1. Alison Nangle
2. Debbie Dunbar
3. Yvonne McCathie (captain)
4. Kira Turner
5. Eilidh Duff
6. Rebbeca Pennycook
7. Lynsay Halliday
8. Kayleigh Roche

Replacements
17. Natasha Williamson
18. Melisa Cameron
19. Julie Lyons
20. Georgia Vickery
21. Rebecca Robertson

Match Officials:

Ref: Alex Haskett
AR1: Lee Anne Steel
AR2: Gillian Frew
No.4: Marsha Peasley

Player of the match: Amy MacNamara (Dalkeith)