Hillhead Jordanhill v Cartha Queens Park – Hughenden, KO 7.45pm

It’s a Glasgow derby on Friday as Hillhead Jordanhill host Cartha Queens Park at Hughenden.

In their previous meeting this season, Cartha were defeated 7-43.

Looking ahead to the game, Hills skipper Hannah Telling said: “Who doesn’t love Friday night lights? This evening, we welcome our friends from across the city to Hughenden for what is sure to be a match full of fireworks and some cracking rugby. Wrap up warm and come on down!”

Last weekend Cartha’s rescheduled Round 7 fixture against Garioch finally took place, with Cartha securing a much-needed win, 24-22. This will no doubt come as a confidence boost for them ahead of facing Hillhead Jordanhill, and they will be eager to back up last Saturday’s performance.

For Hills on the other hand, this weekend’s game provides them a chance to return to winning ways after last Saturday’s defeat to Heriot’s Blues (38-12).

Corstorphine Cougars v Stirling County – Union Park, KO 2pm

In the first Saturday fixture, Cougars welcome Stirling County to Union Park.

The previous showdown between last year’s finalists in Round 4 was an epic battle, with County scooping the win by one point (31-30). It is almost certain that this weekend’s rematch will be equally as entertaining.

County’s last game against Stewartry saw them storm to a 3-61 victory with Fionn Keys and Katie McLaren playing a vital role in their win, each scoring a brace.

Whilst a bonus-point win for Cougars this weekend wouldn’t be enough to leapfrog County into a coveted top two place, it would certainly go a long way to making that goal more attainable.

Eric Jones, Cougars Head Coach said: “We’re looking forward to the game against Stirling at the weekend. We know it’s going to be a struggle for us to get into the top two, so we have nothing to lose.

“We know they have been scoring lots of points, but they have also been conceding a lot as well. At the moment we have the best attack in the league and the second-best defence, so it’s a bit frustrating that we’re in third place, but that’s due to us losing two games by a single point – one of which was through at Stirling in the away leg earlier in the year – and others by a single try.

“So, we know that we’re not far away. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had a good few sessions where our attack has looked sharp as well as an analysis session which has given the players some more clarity on their performance and roles. We look forward to welcoming Mark and Stirling to Union Park on Saturday.”

Stewartry Sirens v Heriot’s Blues – Greenlaw, KO 2pm

Our next Saturday instalment sees Stewartry Sirens host Heriot’s Blues at Greenlaw.

The Sirens and the Blues have yet to face each other with their Round 4 fixture concluded a 28-0 win for Heriot’s, with Stewartry unable to field a team due to injury.

Last weekend Heriot’s triumphed in their Round 7 rescheduled fixture against Hills with a bonus-point win (38-12). Hannah Crisp, Megan Taylor, Alison Wilson, Giselle Chicot and Lisa Martin all scored tries, with Martin added five successful conversions and a penalty taking her points-haul this season to 37, placing her in the top 10 of all players.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture, Blues Head Coach Craig Robertson said: “With this being our first opportunity to play Stewartry this season we are all looking forward to the challenge. With three wins on the bounce, we are determined to keep the momentum going. On saying that we are not at all complacent, we know that Stewartry are a formidable team who cannot be underestimated.”

With just one point separating Stewartry from Garioch at the bottom of the table, a win or losing bonus-point could prove to be crucial as the opportunities to earn points decreases with the progression of the league.

Speaking to scottishrugby.org, Head Coach Ali Lamb said: “The Sirens continue to build. A strong early performance against Cougars ahead of the by-week didn’t reflect on the scoreboard. The team are rested and raring-to-go and will be looking to rectify this against Heriot’s and continue on their growth trajectory.”

Watsonian FC v Garioch – Myreside, KO 2pm

Finally, league leaders Watsonians host Garioch at Myreside on Saturday.

A bonus-point win for Watsonians would all but confirm them for a place in the Final.

In their previous head-to-head, Watsonians came out on top 12-57.

Whilst Garioch have yet to win a game, they have continued to dig deep and improve with each performance. Their best performance so far, was arguably last weekend when they visited Glasgow to take on Cartha Queens Park, where the lost by just two points (24-22).

Speaking to scottishrugby.org about last weekend’s battle, captain Sammy Ross said: “It was a much-anticipated game against Cartha last weekend after a few reschedules due to the weather. We knew how tough of a game it was going to be from the offset and it didn’t disappoint!

“Cartha got one past us quite early on but the team didn’t let our heads go down and continued to fire on with there being only a couple of points in the game the entire way through. We are disappointed from a few lost opportunities but as always, I am forever in awe of the resilience of this team and how we learn and grow each week and I know we’ll continue to do so.

“We look to another tough game ahead of us as we come against league leaders Watsonians this weekend. We are in no doubt of the task that’s ahead but looking forward to another day on the pitch playing the game we love.”