BT Women’s NLD 1 Preview: Broughton travel to Garioch

This Sunday sees Broughton travel north to take on Garioch at Kellands Park in Inverurie on Sunday (kick-off 2pm). Garioch, who claimed the BT Women’s National League Division 2 title for season 2016/17 and earned promotion as a result, are equally thriving this season; sitting second on 25 points after winning five from seven matches.Edinburgh-based side Broughton are not far behind in third place with 22 points having won four from seven games, making this match a battle to retain, or move up into, second place.In their first matches of the new year, both Garioch and Broughton suffered losses – Garioch lost 52-7 to league leaders Watsonians away from home and Kirkcaldy overpowered Broughton 17-26 on Sunday.Despite this, Garioch defeated local rivals Aberdeenshire Quines on home turf before the Christmas break which they will use as motivation to get back to winning ways in front of a home crowd.Broughton’s last match of 2016 was in November against Greenock Wanderers where they won 34-10.Both teams will be expecting a tough match considering Broughton narrowly lost 24-25 to Garioch at home during their last encounter. Therefore, this game is likely to go down to the wire and will make for a thrilling fixture.Elsewhere, Greenock Wanderers host Kirkcaldy at Fort Matilda on Sunday as they look to rectify their 29-12 defeat when the two sides last met at Beveridge Park in October.However, Kirkcaldy will be confident going into this weekend’s match having returned home with a win last Sunday against Broughton.Watsonians also head north to face Aberdeenshire Quines who will go in search of their first victory this season, but know that Watsonians are unbeaten so far this season and will aim to continue this reign.The BT Women’s National League Division 2 also continues this Sunday as Royal Dick Vet College welcome Howe Harlequins to Peffermill playing pitches.Despite being in fourth place, RDVC will be raring to go against Howe (currently in second place) following their 20-5 win over Lismore last week.Howe have yet to play their first match of 2017 and will be determined to stay up in the league.Grangemouth take to the road to face Annan with hopes of returning to the Kelpies with a win to muscle their way towards the middle of the table.Annan are in third place despite losing 5-15 to Howe on home turf last month and will aim to secure victory to challenge for second place.Lismore host west coast side Helensburgh at Inch Park as the visitors go in search of their first win of the season, while the hosts stand determined to move away from the bottom section of the table.The BT Women’s Premiership finished on a high for Murrayfield Wanderers’ last weekend when they defeated Hillhead Jordanhill to claim the league title for the third season running.The Premier Development Cup will kick-off on Sunday 5 February and the BT Women’s Premier League sides will also begin their preparations for the final stages of the Sarah Beaney Cup.