Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Final Match Report: Stirling County 39–12 Watsonian FC

STIRLING, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 13: Match action during a Women's Premiership Final match between Stirling County and Watsonians at Bridgehaugh, on December 13, 2025, in Stirling, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

In the shadow of Wallace Monument it was Watsonians who took the initiative with the first score of the game. An early penalty against the hosts saw Watsonians pile pressure on the whitewash, with hooker Karis Craig putting in a couple of big carries. From the centre the ball moved left thanks to several sharp passes, before landing in the arms of Cieron Bell to hit the turf. The conversion was pulled wide in what were testing kicking conditions to say the least [0-5, 4 mins].

The hosts quickly hit back with a searing dart up the opposite left flank by Sky Phimister. After a solid turnover Stirling rolled forward and once Phimister had it in hand, she barged her way through, shrugging off any attempts to stop her. Ceitidh Ainsworth was pinpoint with the kick- sending it sailing through [7-5, 9 mins].

The rain was teeming down and Stirling were in the ascendency as they looked to extend their advantage. A prod through the centre was knocked on by Watsonians’ Nicole Marlow and from the scrum the visitors conceded another penalty. Ainsworth’s kick failed to find the corner but Watsonians were soon dragged into touch. Even with a slippery ball the lineout was smooth and the phases mounted. Another offside came as Stirling searched for a way to the line but as bodies flew across the turf, Watsonians got over the ball in the ruck for a way out- much to their relief.

The Watsonians rearguard was being severely tested, and they were breached for a second time by back rower Holland Bogan. Answorth’s kick for touch was solid this time around, and another big lineout was claimed. The play swayed right to left before Bogan burrowed over to make the pressure tell on the scoreboard. The kick this time was held up in the wind which was swirling its way round Bridgehaugh [12-5, 18 mins].

The rain was making handling a real challenge. Watsonians had responded well to the second Stirling try and had their hosts penned in, but repeated offsides prevented them reaping the rewards of their pressure and afforded their Captain Rachel Law a talking to from referee Rosie Evans. The penalty count was rising and there was a sense that the visitors discipline had them creaking towards a yellow card.

Stirling’s scrum was proving fruitful as Watsonians were penalised for driving in at the side. Ainsworth’s kick gained them serious territory inside the 22 where another penalty came their way. County’s latest scrum proved pivotal and as the pack wheeled round, Ainsworth was first receiver to ping a ball into the night sky. When it landed it was plucked from air expertly by Phimister- who walked in her second of the piece. The extras couldn’t be added but it was Stirling who led by a dozen at the interval [17-5, 40 mins].

Half Time: Stirling County 17-5 Watsonian FC

Stirling County came racing out the blocks at the start of the second period, increasing their advantage thanks to prop Rachel Cox. The hosts had their foot on the throttle from the whistle and the phase build up was sharp and slick. Just as it looked like they might run out of turf, Cox spotted a gap and took full advantage. The extras were missed but the gap was increased [22-5, 43 mins].

The fifth try came agonisingly close for the hosts as Sophie Murphy was held up on the line thanks to some heroic last gasp defending. Although referee Evans initially gave the score, it was disallowed after consultation with her assistant who spotted a Watsonian body underneath the ball. The visitors were still alive and hanging in there. Five minutes later Watsonians held Stirling up again, with bodies flying in to keep their title hopes alive. They were undone at last when the fifth try all but secured the victory, with Holland Bogan grabbing her second of the match under a stramash of bodies. Ainsworth’s kick went awry but with little over fifteen minutes to go Stirling had daylight on the board [27-5, 64 mins].

There was swagger in the home side’s play, with Watsonians penned in their own 22. With the pressure intense, Stirling found the space to convert. Again it was down that left channel, with Sky Phimister completing her hat trick, finding herself free on the touchline after play had moved coast to coast. Two minutes later she had her fourth- in what was a carbon copy of her first score. Darting down that channel she bumped off a challenge with ease before gleefully sliding over on the greasy surface. One of two conversions were added by Ainsowrth, but Bridgehaugh was rocking [39-5, 72 mins].

After a gritty display it was Watsonians who had the final say of the encounter through fly-half Hannah Ramsay, in what was a fantastically crafted try. After countless phases in the Stirling half, Ramsay collected her own kick through the heart of the home defence to dot down just before the dead ball line. The extras were made as the visitors hit the dozen mark with three to go [39-12, 77 mins].

As the ball was booted to the stand, referee Evans brought the encounter to a close. Bridgehaugh erupted into jubilant scenes as the hosts claimed the title at the end of a flawless season.

Stirling County: 15. Scarlett Haddow, 14. Emily Norval, 13. Claudia McLaren, 12. Brogan Henderson, 11. Sky Phimister, 10. Ceitidh Ainsworth, 9. Jodie Murdoch; 1. Paige Aitken-Robinson, 2. Aicha Sutcliffe, 3. Rachel Cox, 4. Natasha Logan, 5. Sophie Murphy, 6. Holland Bogan, 7. Ciorstaidh Ainsworth, 8. Samaanther Taganekurukuru.

Replacements: 16. Ella Rae, 17. Angharad Hopwood, 18. Gemma Thomson, 19. Heather Davis, 20. Sarah Murdoch, 21. Rebekah Douglas.

Watsonian FC: 15. Nicole Marlow, 14. Dawn Lawrie, 13. Briar-Anne McNamara, 12. Julie Lyons, 11. Cieron Bell, 10. Hannah Ramsay, 9. Emily Love; 1. Ailie Tucker, 2. Karis Craig, 3. Caitlin Abernethy, 4. Kaeli King, 5. Nicola Howat, 6. Charlotte Russell, 7. Rachel Law, 8. Freya Walker.

Replacements: 16. Millie Whitehouse, 17. Talei Tawake, 18. Aphichaya McMahon, 19. Kara Borthwick, 20. Georgia Young, 21. Bryony Nelson, 22. Ami Conchie.

Player of the Match- Sky Phimister (Stirling County)

Referee: Rosie Evans

AR1: Mary Carol (MC) Dixon

AR2: Allana McLean