County and Biggar share Girls’ President’s Conference title

Stirling County and Biggar share the spoils as winners of the Girls’ President’s Conference for season 2016/17 following Sunday’s clash between the two clubs at both under-18 and under-15 level. County visited Biggar across both age groups with County edging victory in the under-18 fixture (17-19) and Biggar coming out on top in the under-15 encounter (31-17). The two clubs remained tied on points at the top of the whole conference table, which combined results across both age groups to determine both County and Biggar as joint winners. New for this season, the Girls’ President’s Conference involved six clubs (Ayr, Biggar, Caithness, Hillhead Jordanhill, Murrayfield Wanderers and Stirling County) with an aim to generate fixture consistency at both under-18 and under-15 levels. Both sides lined up for the deciding under-18 encounter, having won all their previous league matches.It was Stirling County’s, Beth Streets, who scored first but Stirling were unable to secure the conversion. However, Biggar struck back quickly with a try from Abbie Baillie, converted by Sarah Denholm. Biggar kept up the pressure and went on to score a second try, scored by Feebi Robinson which secured a 12-5 lead at half-time.  Stirling started the second-half brightly and quickly secured a converted try to level the score at 12-12. Solid forward play, particularly from Ailie Tucker and Emily Armstrong, lead to a further Biggar try from Baillie to give Biggar a 17-12 lead.  However, following several handling errors, Stirling took advantage to score a converted try to give them a 19-17 lead.  Biggar pressed for the last ten minutes, but were not able to find the final pass to score and Stirling ran out winners. Katie Mclaren and captain Niamh Proctor secured Stirling’s final two tries with Erin Sinclair adding the extras to Mclaren’s score.Biggar Player of the Match: Evie Gallagher (chosen by Biggar President Al Stewart).Stirling County Player of the Match: Abbie Baillie (chosen by Stirling County Vice President Lorne Boswell)The under-15 game was evenly matched in the opening stages with impressive defensive displays from both sides disrupting scoring opportunities. Biggar made the initial breakthrough with Geraldine Kimm shrugging off several tackles to sprint down the wing for her first of two tries. County responded with scores from Órla Proctor and Lorna Farquhar, as Proctor converted her own score. Further tries from Kaylee Fraser, Abi Bantock and Emelia Knights combined with three conversions from Fraser to see Biggar run out comfortable winners, confirming their place at the top of the under-15 Girls’ President’s Conference table.Biggar Player of the Match: Abi Bandtok (chosen by Gordon Young of Biggar RFC).Stirling County Player of the Match: Lorna Farquhar (chosen by Lorne Boswell, Stirling County Vice President).Elsewhere in the Schools & Youth Conferences, Fettes College have won the Schools’ Blue Conference after the school overcame conference rivals Robert Gordon’s College over the weekend.In the Club Brown Conference, Allan Glen’s are confirmed winners of the overall conference following consistent performances across the age groups.The pick of this weekend’s conference fixtures sees the finale of the Club President’s Conference as table-toppers Ayr travel to defending conference champions Stirling County on Saturday. County will have to win across all age groups if they are to retain their title and deny Ayr conference victory.Schools’ Red and White conferences will also be decided this weekend with Stewart’s Melville College in position to catch Merchiston Castle School when they visit George Watson’s College in the Red Conference on Saturday.George’s Heriot’s and High School of Glasgow are still in line to top the White Conference with a final round of fixtures taking place on Saturday.George Heriot’s host St Aloysius College, while High School of Glasgow travel to Hutchesons’ Grammar School with all still to play for.For a full list of conference results and fixtures, visit: http://www.scottishrugby.org/fixtures-results-schools-youth