BT Women’s Premier Preview: Hillhead strive to topple Wandies in title decider

Hillhead Jordanhill will go head-to-head with Murrayfield Wanderers at BT Murrayfield on Sunday in an attempt to be crowned BT Women’s Premier League champions for season 2016/17. The sides last met in December when Hills overcame Wandies 27-5 at home, resulting in the Glasgow side sitting one point ahead of the defending champions after their win, combined with recent victories over RHC Cougars and Stewartry.Hills have come close to the title during recent seasons, finishing second in the table in 2016 and 2015 while having last won the league in 2014.Scotland Women international and Hills captain, Louise McMillan, said: “We have enjoyed a positive season and gained momentum before the Christmas break with a well-deserved victory over Wandies back in December.”We have developed our own style of play throughout the rounds which has allowed us to overcome teams with pace.”The 19-year-old back row, who gained her first cap for Scotland Women against Spain in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Qualifier in November, believes Hills’ confidence will see them come out on top come Sunday.She said: “Everything has been building towards this title decider and we have been unstoppable in many of our recent matches, so the squad is high on confidence.There is a great support system throughout the team with a wealth of international experience and some new faces contributing to a team effort week in week out.”Wandies have similarly recorded impressive performances over Stewartry and RHC Cougars with the Edinburgh side hoping to claim their third consecutive league title.Former Scotland Women international and Wandies captain, Sarah Quick, said: “It will be good to come back after the break and get back to our playing structure.”We’ve worked really hard this season to put ourselves in a position to contest the top spot in the table and also defend our league title from last season.”The 25-year-old, who is also head coach of Edinburgh Napier Women, is looking forward to the match which sees Scotland’s top two women’s club sides battle it out.The fact that it’s come down to the last game of the season and winner-takes-all is very exciting and will make for a great game of women’s rugby.”It’s been a fascinating rivalry with Hillhead over the years and both teams are on good form going into the title decider so it will be very competitive.”Elsewhere, the final round of BT Women’s Premier League action will see RHC Cougars welcome Stewartry with the Cougars sitting in third place behind Wandies and Stewartry holding a mid-table position.Ayr will travel to Stirling County in what will be an interesting encounter between two sides who have recorded mixed results throughout the rounds with Ayr claiming previous victories over County. BT Women’s Premier League Final Round (Sunday 15 January) Title decider: Murrayfield Wanderers v Hillhead Jordanhill, BT Murrayfield 4G pitch, 2pmRHC Cougars v Stewartry, Barton, 2pmStirling County v Ayr, Bridgehaugh, 2pm