Men’s Bowl: Earlston v Lochaber

To watch the highlights, click here.

Earlston, with pace aplenty and a pleasing tempo to their game, won the National Bowl Final, 62 – 14 in the opening game at Hive this morning.

Earlston, champions of East Regional League Division 3, scored ten tries to two and in wing Tom Richardson, son of former Gala Star referee Murray, had a worthy Player of the Match, grabbing four of them.

The match was prefaced by a minute’s silence in memory of Lochaber founder member, Ronnie Young, who passed away recently.

Earlston struck in the opening five minutes. From ball against the throw at the lineout, the Borderers probed in midfield before flanker Tom Cromarty powered over. Oliver Smith converted, one of six successful goals for the prop.

The second score was quick to follow. From super evasion skills from centre Callum McNeill, a persistent threat throughout, ball was then spread left for Richardson to romp home.

An arcing 60 metre run from winger Nathaniel Armstrong was thwarted by a last-gasp tackle from Archie Campbell ,but Earlston added try number three through livewire full-back Jai Fender in the 28^th minute, then Fender gave the scoring pass for Richardson’s second long-range score.

Earlston were in full cry with hooker Sandy Fairbairn rounding off try number five.

Half-time: Earlston 31 Lochaber 0

Lochaber had only a missed penalty to show for their efforts in the first half, but within a minute of the restart, from Scottie Diack’s more direct approach, lock Hamish Kennedy thundered over for a try, which Callum Boyd converted.

Earlston’s riposte was immediate, No 8 Nathan Chisholm’s great line at pace resulting in their sixth try.

Richardson completed his hat-trick with scalding acceleration and Arran Patterson added an eighth, then Gareth Walker the ninth try.

Liam Ryan nabbed Lochaber’s second try, Boyd converting, before Richardson had the final word with his fourth try.

Full time: Earlston 62  Lochaber 14

Earlston: Jai Fender; Nathaniel Armstrong, Callum McNeill, Morgan Oliver, Thomas Richardson; David Anderson, James Fender; Padraig Gillan, Sandy Fairbairn, Oliver Smith, Alastair Cessford captain, Ethan Deakin, Dylan Oliver, Tom Cromarty, Nathan Chisholm.

Subs (all used): Lynton Brinck, Dylan Riddell, Sam Craig, Arran Patterson, Gareth Walker, Kris Rowley and Craig Bruce.

Lochaber: Jack Hamilton; Archie Campbell, Steven Traill, Callum Boyd, Stuart Hinchcliffe; Ryan Davies, Calum Sandison captain; Callum MacDonald, Rory McKay, Josh MacKay, Chris Simpson, Hamish Kennedy, Finlay Stewart, Ben Fulford, Findlay Ireland.

Subs (all used): Rob Willens, Liam Ryan, Douglas MacRae, Koni Johnson, Scottie Diack, David Duncan, Ronnie Fulford.

Referee: Kyle McAlinden.  Assistant referees: Tom French and Sean Bicknell.

Player of the Match: Tom Richardson (Earlston).

Team sheets:

Women’s Shield: Greenock Wanderers v Wigtownshire

A jubilant Wigtownshire beat Greenock Wanderers in a memorable Shield final at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, cheered on by a passionate crowd, including the ‘Wigtownshire Wabbit’! 

The first points of the game came early, with Wigtownshire capitalising on a penalty advantage from a scrum, giving them the initial lead. 

Wigtownshire maintained possession and their determination paid off when full-back Laura McNeil broke through the Greenock defence to score their first try. The conversion was unsuccessful. [0–8] 

Greenock Wanderers responded quickly, scoring five minutes later. Rachel Towle spotted an overlap on the wing and crossed the whitewash. [5-8] 

Scrum half for Greenock then broke through the Wigtownshire line. Following a Wigtownshire error, captain Tina Hemphill took a quick tap and go, successfully scoring their second try. Conversion was successful for Catriona Gallagher. [12-8]  

The Stranraer side had the perfect response with a try from Isla Campbell. A blindside release from a ruck that was popped out to Campbell to finish it off. Sophie Mann added the extras. [12-15] 

Building on their momentum, Wigtownshire moved the ball wide to Niamh Wilson who found some space and arced her way around the defenders to score. [12-20] 

Just before the half-time whistle, Wigtownshire added to their lead with a fourth try, this time from flanker Amy McNeil. [12–25] 

HALF-TIME: Greenock Wanderers 12 –25  Wigtownshire 

Wigtownshire opened the second half with a quick break from the scrum. Carla Campbell fed the ball to Hannah Owen, who touched down in the corner. A quick check from referee Rosie Evans confirmed she hadn’t gone into touch. [12–30] 

Louise Reddy was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements in the scrum. Greenock held strong during this period, but Wigtownshire extended their lead with another break from winger Wilson, who crossed for her second try. Mann converted successfully. [12–37]

Greenock led possession for much of the latter part of the match and, despite a few missed opportunities, their perseverance was rewarded with a try from skipper Hemphill. [17–37] 

FULL-TIME: Greenock Wanderers 17–37  Wigtownshire 

Player of the Match: Neve Finlay (8)

Tries:
Greenock Wanderers:  Rachel Towle, Tina Hemphill
Wigtownshire:  Laura McNeil, Isla Campbell, Niamh Wilson (2), Amy McNeil  

Conversions:
Greenock Wanderers: Catriona Gallagher
Wigtownshire: Sophie Mann (2) 

Penalties:
Wigtownshire: Sophie Mann  

Match Officials:
Referee – Rosie Evans
AR1 – Lee Murru
AR2 – Victoria Lindsay McGee  

Team sheets:

Men’s Shield: East Kilbride v Lenzie

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In the opening minutes of the game East Kilbride looked to be in control but chipped ahead over the defensive line, it was collected by Lenzie winger Daniel Campell who turned on the after burners to score the opening try of the game, it was successfully converted by scrum-half Fraser Cameron.

Slick handling by the Lenzie back line led to a second try inside the first ten minutes of the game for Campbell which was converted once again by Cameron.  

East Kilbride hit back only five minutes later with their opening score. After a well worked lineout on the five-metre line, they worked through their phases before Juan Hodgkinson crashed over from short range to make it East Kilbride 5-14 Lenzie.

Cameron extended Lenzie’s lead with a converted try of his own after he finished off some lovely open play in the corner with a tricky successful conversion. Lenzie winger Scott Henry then got on the scoreboard straight from the re-start after he left East Kilbride defenders in his trail – that conversion was successful from Cameron too.

On the half-hour mark Lenzie winger Campbell got his hat-trick of the afternoon thanks to a well worked team try from the lineout which ensure the ball found its way to the far side of the pitch for them to extend their lead to 5-33. The conversion attempt by Cameron was unsuccessful.  

HALF-TIME: East Kilbride 5-33 Lenzie 

Although 28 points down it was East Kilbride who hit back only five minutes into the second half thanks to a try from shortrange by prop Harry Taggart, it was successfully converted by full-back George Fisher. 

Fisher then scored a try of his own from outside the 22 with some lovely interlinking play with his wingers although his own conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Lenzie’s second row Adam Rankin then scampered down the far side wing like a gazelle for them to extend their lead once more to 38 points to 17.

East Kilbride then came back into the game thanks to a lovely try score by Matthew Brown but from the restart Lenzie showed their power and pace out wide once again as Henry went in for his second of the afternoon – it was successfully converted by stand-off Alex McLaughlin 22-45.

Only a few moments later Henry bagged himself a hattrick too as he raced in at the stand side for Lenzie’s eighth of the day.

The Lenzie side asserted their dominance further in the dying moments of the game when replacement back Innes Mackay ran in their final try of the day. Thanks to the gusts of wind inside Hive Stadium stand-off McLaughlin had to drop kick his conversion which was indeed, successful.  

FULL-TIME: East Kilbride 22-57 Lenzie  

Player of the Match: Scott Henry (Lenzie)

Tries:
Lenzie: Daniel Campbell (3), Fraser Cameron, Scott Henry (3), Adam Rankin, Innes Mackay
East Kilbride: Juan Hodgkinson, Harry Taggart, George Fisher, Matthew Brown 

Conversions:
Lenzie: Fraser Cameron (4), Alex McLaughlin
East Kilbride: George Fisher  

Match Officials:
Referee – Angus Healy
AR1 – Matthew Gregg
AR2 – Dave McKervaill

Team sheets:

Men’s National League Cup: Hillhead Jordanhill v Gordonians

Hillhead Jordanhill prodcued an excellent comeback from 17-7 down to beat Gordonians 34-17 and win the 2025 National League Cup. 

The scoring got underway in under three minutes for Gordonians, as Rollo Press burst through a tackle and raced under the posts from 10 metres. (0-7, 3 mins) 

The second came from a break up the left where Josh Andrew received an inside pass from Jake De Jager and just grounded in the corner before he was put into touch. (0-12, 9 mins) 

Hills got themselves on the board and back in the game two minutes later, as Blair Colvin crashed over from short range. (7-12, 11 mins) 

De Jager went from provider to scorer as Gordonians regained their two-score lead, finishing in the left corner after a looping pass from Hamish Smart. (7-17, 17 mins) 

But Hillhead would not go away, and a chip over the top was grounded over the line by Andrew Brown. (14-17, 20 mins) 

And the Glasgow side drew level when Gordonians were penalised under their posts and Rory Harte slotted the penalty. (17-17, 25 mins) 

Hillhead Jordanhill were reduced to 14 men periodically after an illegal breakdown play from Harte as Gordonians closed in on the line, 

But they took the lead with the last play of the first half, after a period of sustained pressure in Gordonians’ 22 as Colvin forced his way over for a second time. (22-17, 40 mins) 

Half time: Hillhead Jordanhill 22-17 Gordonians 

Hillhead scored first in the second half, with an incredible catch on the bounce from Matthew Murray after Harte’s crossfield kick. (27-17, 61 mins) 

And they pulled three scores ahead with 10 minutes to go when Jayson Bentley stretched and placed the ball down under the posts. (34-17, 70 mins) 

Hills centre Brown was yellow carded with five minutes to play for a high tackle. 

Then it was the Aberdeen outfit’s turn to see yellow, with Sean Mills sin binned for an intentional offside, as a cup upset, based on respective league positions, drew to a close. 

Full time: Hillhead Jordanhill 34-17 Gordonians 

Tries: 

Hillhead Jordanhill: Blair Colvin (2), Andrew Brown, Matthew Murray, Jayson Bentley
Gordonians: Rollo Press, Josh Andrew, Jake De Jager

Conversions:

Hillhead Jordanhill: Rory Harte (3)
Gordonians: Josh Andrew

Penalties:

Hillhead Jordanhill: Rory Harte

Player of the Match: Rory Harte (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Team sheets:

Women’s Plate: Garioch (2XV) v Annan

To watch the highlights, click here.

It was the Far North v Far South in the Women’s Plate. Despite a strong and evenly matched performance for both sides. It was Annan who came out on top.  

Annan were quick to open the scoring after only a minute when Nicole Jancey stole the ball and run halfway up the pitch to score. The conversion unsuccessful.

After some long periods of possession from both sides, Garioch got on the scoresheet after 25 minutes as the forwards rampaged up the pitch and offloaded to Isla Sanderson to cross the whitewash. The conversion unsuccessful (5-5).  

Garioch followed up with another score three minutes later through Alana Davidson as she danced through the Annan defence to dot down between the sticks after a great shift from their forwards. The conversion from Stephanie Campbell successful (12-5).  

Although, Annan weren’t letting up, they worked up the field and it was Kayleigh Warrick who finished off the backs play. The conversion again missed (12-10).  

Annan’s Kirsty Barlow scored on the far left side after receiving a perfectly timed pass from her inside player. This time the conversion from Malvina McGeoch was successful. (12-17). That was the last score of the first half.  

Half time: Garioch 2XV 12 – 17 Annan  

Garioch were first to score in the second half. Great work from Rhea Work who made several yards up the left-hand side and it was Emily Forgie who crossed. The conversion missed to make it all square at Hive Stadium (17-17).  

Annan’s Niamh Ross scored next after her team had won a couple of penalties and got down the pitch and all Ross had to do was pick up from the back of the ruck and crash over. The conversion from McGeoch successful (17-24).  

Annan responded with another score extremely quickly as McGeoch made a fabulous run down the left wing. The conversion was missed. (17-29).  

Isla Sanderson then got her second try of the match as she broke through a gap and found the line with ease. The conversion from Campbell successful (24-29).  

Annan extended their lead as Barlow also got her second try. The conversion was short. (24-34).  

The win was then secured for Annan as Jane Haren crossed on the right hand side after a great run. The conversion was missed. (24-39). 

Tries:  
Annan: Nicole Jancey, Kayleigh Warwick, Kirsty Barlow (2), Nieve Ross, Malvina McGeoch, Jane Haren
Garioch 2XV: Isla Sanderson (2), Alana Davidson, Emily Forgie, 

Conversions:
Annan: Malvina McGeoch (2)
Garioch 2XV: Stephanie Campbell (2)

Referee: Sophie Tougher-Mitchell
AR1: Allana McLean
AR2: Yvonne Tunnicliffe

Player of the match: Nicole Jancey (Annan)

Team sheets:

Scottish Cup: GHA v Glasgow Academicals

GHA finished off the perfect season with the perfect performance. After a tight first half, the red and greens ran rampant, scoring seven tries on their way to a 52 – 30 win over Glasgow Academicals in the Scottish Cup final. 

GHA winger Glen Little was named man of the match after scoring two brilliant tries and setting up others across his team. 

Glasgow Academicals kicked off, with Adam Scott hoisting one high and into the GHA 22. National 1 champions, GHA secured their promotion to the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership this season, while Accies just missed out, finishing third on the ladder. 

First blood went to Accies after the ball was spilled inside GHA’s 22 and left winger Jack McCready was fasted to respond, diving on the ball and forcing it down. Scott couldn’t add the extras though. (GHA 0 – 5 Accies, 4 mins) 

GHA responded straight back though through Glen Little, after scrappy defence from the leaders let a wide pass go unchecked and Little darted in by the left touchline to even the scores. Andrew Goudie put the green and red ahead with a brilliant conversion. (GHA 7 – 5 Accies, 6 mins) 

Accies weren’t down for long and regained the lead after winning a penalty inside the GHA 22. It was more than kickable for Scott, who banged it over and took back the lead. (GHA 7 – 8 Accies, 11 mins) 

The National 1 champions responded seven minutes later, sniping from the back of an attacking lineout inside the Accies 22. A few phases later, Ben Curtis went himself from the back of the ruck and dove over. The conversion attempt from Goudie just slid away. (GHA 12 – 8, 18 mins) 

Not to be outdone by his opposite, Accies scrum half Stewart Bleck sniped around the right-hand flank from inside the 22 and beat a few forwards before dotting down under the posts. Scott nailed the conversion to see Accies regain the lead. (GHA 12 – 15 Accies, 22 mins) 

Seven minutes from half time, GHA bit back again. Michael Hughes exploited a huge overload on the right side and was the fortuitous final pair of hands to crash over on the right side. A curling conversion attempt from Gregor Drummond landed beautifully. (GHA 19 – 15 Accies, 33 mins) 

On the stroke of half time, Bleck struck for his second try of the afternoon. Patient build up from the Accies saw play slide from side to side before a big carry from prop Scott Rodgers set up the perfect opportunity for Bleck to dummy and go himself. Scott duly added the extras under the shadow of the posts. (GHA 19 – 22 Accies, 40 mins) 

HALF-TIME: GHA 19 – 22 Glasgow Academicals 

GHA had the first opportunity to open the second half scoring, pointing to the posts just three minutes in from an attacking penalty, but Drummond’s attempt slid by and was cleared by Accies. A high tackle from GHA flanker and captain Dario Ewing saw Accies once again point to the posts, and Scott extended their lead to six, 10 minutes into the second half. (GHA 19 – 25 Accies, 50 mins)  

A yellow card for Max MacFarlane on the 51st minute saw the GHA man visit the sin bin for a high tackle. A tip tackle penalty on the 55th minute was given against GHA on the 22 as Accies marauded up the field. Scott again pointed to the posts, but couldn’t increase the lead to nine.  

After a dropped catch inside the Accies 22, GHA responded through Jack Craig – simple as you like. From the back of the resulting scrum, one pass unlocked the Accies defence and Craig darted in under the posts. Drummond added the extra two. (GHA 26 – 25 Accies, 62 mins) 

GHA pounced on a dropped ball in midfield, hacking it forward and giving chase. When the Accies fullback dropped the bobbling ball, it left just enough space for Little to pinch it and grab his second try. Drummond added the extras and GHA had a solid lead with 12 to play. (GHA 33 – 25 Accies, 68 mins) 

An Accies lineout on halfway went astray and bounced kindly for Scott Plumridge to latch onto. Accies stopped, waiting for a referee call that never came and Plumridge burst away, running half the pitch to score in the right corner. Drummond couldn’t add the extra two from a tight angle. (GHA 38 – 25 Accies, 72 mins) 

And GHA weren’t done there. A clever grubber, stabbed through by Goudie was dived on by Max MacFarlane, who notched the side’s seventh try. Drummond added the extras from underneath the sticks. (GHA 45 – 25 Accies, 76 mins) 

Adding the icing on their own strong performance, Accies struck back through Rory McGinn, but the extras couldn’t be added from the sideline. (GHA 45 – 30 Accies, 79 mins) 

With the final play of the game, and with Accies trying to exit their 22, a looped and telegraphed pass was intercepted by Charlie Lonergan, who ghosted in untouched to dot down under the posts. Drummond added the final flourish, seeing the match won by 22 points in the end. (GHA 52 – 30 Accies, FT) 

FULL-TIME: GHA 52 – 30 Glasgow Academicals  

Player of the Match: Glen Little (GHA) 

Tries:
GHA: Little (2), Curtis (1), Hughes (1), Craig (1), Plumridge (1), MacFarlane (1)
Glasgow Accies: McCready (1), Bleck (2) 

Conversions:
GHA: Goudie (1), Drummond (3)
Glasgow Accies: Scott (2) 

Penalties:
GHA:
Glasgow Accies: Scott (2) 

Match Officials:
Referee: Sam O’Neil
AR1: David Young
AR2: Willie Anderson

Team sheets:

Sarah Beaney Cup: Watsonian FC v Hillhead Jordanhill

Watsonian FC won their fourth Sarah Beaney Cup out of five, but it wasn’t without challenge from Hillhead Jordanhill side desperate to take two trophies back to Glasgow. 

Watsonians won the match 39 – 38, but Hills were just a score away from clinching the club’s second piece of silverware after the men’s side won in the National League Cup final earlier in the day. 

Watsonian’s Brian McNamara kicked off towards the South Stand, and it was fielded by the Hillhead pack, and after a settling period, outside centre Giselle Chicot received the ball wide right and, after a pop pass from McNamara, ghosted in for the opening score of the match. April McKenzie couldn’t add the extras – her effort bouncing off the post and out. (Watsonian 0 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill, 2 mins) 

On the 13-minute mark, a brilliant break from McKenzie almost came to fruition for Watsonians, after a flick pass to the left wing, but Freya Walker dropped the ball forward in the tackle, with the line at her mercy. 

Hillhead Jordanhill hit back in the 16th minute when a lineout set piece saw the ball go through the hands and end with speedster Beth Tobin just inside her half. She rounded Watsonian’s full back Rachel Law and scampered in for the visitors’ opening score. Millie Warren lined up the conversion, but couldn’t add the extra two. (Watsonians 5 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill, 15 mins) 

A penalty went the way of Watsonians shortly after, as Hillhead held on in the tackle. The resulting lineout drive was stopped just short of the line, before it was recycled to Ailie Tucker, who rumbled over the line from close range, adding the second try of the evening. McKenzie’s conversion was unsuccessful. (Watsonians 10 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill, 22 mins) 

A smooth move from Watsonians just before the half hour mark resulted in McNamara notching the home side’s third try of the afternoon. The move came from a flick from the scrum half, who moved it to Walker, who – feigning to run straight – moved it to McNamara, in acres of space to cross over. McKenzie added the extras this time. (Watsonians 17 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill, 29 mins) 

A line drive from Watsonians again threatened the Hills line shortly after, but it was adjudged to be held up, and play was brought back for a penalty by the right-hand corner flag. They opted for the lineout, but the throw wasn’t straight and so the ball turned over, letting Hills out. 

It didn’t keep them out for long though. The resulting clearance didn’t get Hills out of the 22 and Watsonians countered with a blitz down the right, landing in the hands of Phaedra Snailham, who dotted down just before being dragged into touch. McKenzie couldn’t add the extras from the touchline. (Watsonians 22 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill, 37 mins) 

HALF-TIME: Watsonians 22 – 5 Hillhead Jordanhill 

Carla McDonald made an immediate impact from the bench with her first touch of the ball for Hills – intercepting a lofted Watsons pass before scooting away, fending off a would-be defender and diving over in the corner, to give Hills hope for the second stanza. McKenzie couldn’t add the extras from the sideline. (Watsonians 22 – 10 Hillhead Jordanhill, 41 mins) 

Watsonians weren’t to be outdone though, and responded in the 48th minute. Electing to take a scrum from the penalty inside Hills’ 22, and firing the ball across the left side till it reached Ami Conchie – who dotted down, scoring in a very similar position on the field in this fixture in 2024. McKenzie added the extras and Watsonians extended their lead. (Watsonians 29 – 10 Hillhead Jordanhill, 48 mins) 

Just four minutes later, Hills struck back. This time through a strong first carry into the 22 and a secondary phase from second row Debbie Lee, who bulldozed her way through three tackles and over the line. Warren converted the try to reduce the deficit back to 12. (Watsonians 29 –17 Hillhead Jordanhill, 52 mins) 

Watsonians bundled over for a sixth try just before the hour, through a scrum inside the Hills’ 22. Kaeli King was credited with the try after a run from the back of the scrum from and a pop pass to McKenzie, who made it all the way to millimetres away from the tryline. A pick and go from King was enough to snag the five points. McKenzie nailed the conversion from out in front. (Watsonians 36 – 17 Hillhead Jordanhill, 59 mins) 

Soon after, a yellow card was shown to Hills try scorer McDonald after a high tackle on halfway. 

Hills took the opportunity best though. With Watsonians attacking, a loose pass was snapped up by Hills vice-captain Roma Fraser, who ran the length of the field to score under the posts. An easy conversion from Warren further closed the gap back to 12. (Watsonians 36 – 24 Hillhead Jordanhill, 68 mins) 

A red card was brandished to Roma Fraser after a head-on-head tackle with seven minutes remaining. Fortunately, Watsonians full back Rachel Law was taken for a head injury assessment after the contact. 

Watsonians elected to take a shot at the posts after a penalty was awarded on the 22 line with three minutes remaining. April McKenzie – the player of the match – nailed the penalty, extending the lead to 15 with two minutes left on the clock. (Watsonians 39 – 24 Hillhead Jordanhill, 77 mins) 

Hills struck back with seconds remaining, after a dart down the middle saw captain Kate Yeomans run a great support line and grab the pass to dot down under the posts and put pressure on Watsonians in the final minute. Warren converted to make the gap just eight. (Watsonians 39 – 31 Hillhead Jordanhill, 79 mins) 

And to top off the match with the final phase of the game, flanker Jasmine Hall collected a speculative grubber through from McDonald and raced away to score under the posts. Warren popped the conversion over to end the game and see Hills fall just a point short of an historic turnaround. (Watsonians 39 – 38 Hillhead Jordanhill, FT) 

FULL-TIME: Watsonians 39 – 38 Hillhead Jordanhill  

Player of the Match: April McKenzie (Watsonians) 

Tries
Watsonians: Chicot (1), Tucker (1), McNamara (1), Snailham (1), Conchie (1), King (1)
Hillhead Jordanhill: Tobin (1), McDonald (1), Lee (1), Fraser (1), Yeomans (1), Hall (1) 

Conversions
Watsonians: McKenzie (3)
Hillhead Jordanhill: Warren (4) 

Penalties
Watsonians: McKenzie (1)
Hillhead Jordanhill:  

Match Officials
Referee: Beatrice Casares-Fernandez
AR1: MC Dixon
AR2: Niamh Hay 

Yellow cards: Carla McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Red cards: Roma Fraser (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Team sheets: