Sarah Beaney Cup Final | Hillhead/Jordanhill too powerful for Watsonians

Watsonians took on last year’s Sarah Beaney Cup champions Hillhead/Jordanhill as both sides looked to finish the season on a high.

It was the Glasgow outfit that took the win at a canter with five first-half and seven second-half tries.

Hillhead look good value to retain their title early on as Watsonians struggled to contain the Glasgow side and it took a little over five minutes for Erinn Foley to blast over after some patient build up.

It wasn’t long before Hills added a second as Abi Evans’ pace saw her over in the corner after breaking from half-way. Five minutes later she added her second in similar fashion and her side had a commanding early lead (15-0).

Watsonians weren’t down-heartened, however, and set out gaining territory.

They made it over the line after 20 minutes only to be held up and conceded a penalty from the resulting scrum for Hillhead to clear.

The Glaswegians took the opportunity from the resulting set-piece to attack from deep and had nearly instant success, Ema Barlow this time speeding down the right flank to stretch the lead even further.

Further first-half tries from player of the match Hannah Smith and another from Abi Evans for her hat-trick meant that Watsonians would face a gargantuan task in overturning the deficit in the second period.

Half Time | Hillhead/Jordanhill 32 – 0 Watsonians

Watsonians knew they would have to start fast if they were to get back in the game and they did just that when Molly Wright capped off some patient phase play to score in the corner.

However, Hannah Smith crossed for her brace down the touchline before securing her hat-trick more directly, pushing through tackles, to take the score to 44-5 after the conversion and take the game well beyond ‘Sonians.

The Edinburgh side would get on the scoreboard again though through prop Wright’s second try but from that point on it was one-way traffic.

Both Abi Evans and Hannah Smith would grab fourth tries before the 70-minute mark to remove any doubt as to which team would be taking home the silverware.

Watsonians had a late foray deep into Hills territory but couldn’t finish their play off on this occasion and it wasn’t too long before Lucy Mills was adding her name to the score-sheet.

Hillhead would get one last try before the clock went red when Louise McMillan sped over from long-range to seal an imperious 12 try to two victory.

The victory means Hillhead/Jordanhill retain the title and complete the double after winning the BT Women’s Premier League in January.

Full Time | Hillhead/Jordanhill 68 – 12 Watsonians