Shawlands Academy edge out Carrick in U15 Schools’ Cup Final

Shawlands Academy lifted the U15 Girls’ Schools’ Cup at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday evening after defeating Carrick Academy 17-15 in a thrilling encounter between two of the best school sides. It was Carrick who made the brighter start to the final with the majority of possession and were rewarded after the first ten minutes with a try from centre Laura Rowney, who ran in following strong forward momentum.Shawlands Academy captain, Sarah MacPherson, responded by leading her team effectively in the opposition 22 and then sprinting over for the school’s first try of the match.Minutes later, MacPherson went on the attack once again and managed to claim her second score after evading several tackles from Carrick. Shawlands centre Lilly Coles then added an impressive conversion.Half-time: Shawlands Academy 12-5 Carrick AcademyAfter the interval, Shawlands extended their lead through Anna Jenkins, the winger breaking through the defence and showing her pace to reach the line for her side’s third try of the final.However, Carrick responded almost immediately with scrum-half Fiona Thomson powering over the line from close range to keep the school within distance of the leaders.Carrick continued to build momentum and utilised good ball in the 22 to see hooker Holly MacDonald cross and the points gap narrowed to two (17-15).Shawlands remained strong in the final phases of the match despite Carrick’s best efforts to sneak victory and were eventually crowned U15 Girls’ Cup champions.Full-time: Shawlands Academy 17-15 Carrick AcademyPlayer of the Match: Sarah MacPherson (Shawlands Academy)  Scottish Rugby Girls’ Schools’ Cup U15 FinalShawlands Academy: Sarah Gibson; Jasmin Scott, Eva Barrett Mansfield, Lilly Coles, Anna Jenkins; Sarah MacPherson CAPTAIN, Amy Donachy; Eva Montgomery, Kirsty MacPherson, Olivia Howell, Ruby Patterson, Niamh Reed, Shannon Hamilton, Kiera Lynch, Rebecca Cullen. Replacements: Jyoti Singh, Shaleeya Kawa, Binta Diallo, Hikimat Olalekan, Mauton Hunge.Carrick Academy: Zoe Lamont; Kacey Powell, Laura Rowney, Aimee Gardener, Abbie Alexander; Rebecca Sloan, Fiona Thomson; Tamzin Loy, Holly MacDonald, Louise Skilling, Nicola McColm, Skye Trotter Eve Currie. Replacements: Katie Glasgow, Ellie Merry, Cerys McCulloch, Hannah Merry, Becky Ferguson. Scottish Rugby Girls’ Cup Finals RESULTSU18 Cup: Biggar High School 20-14 The Community School of AuchterarderU18 Shield: East Lothian Schools 43-25 Balfron High SchoolU15 Cup: Shawlands Academy 17-15 Carrick AcademyU15 Shield: Liberton High School/Royal High School 42-15 Auchinleck Academy