Tennent’s Women’s Premiership & National 1 | Preview 22/23 October

On Saturday the Premiership gets underway with an Edinburgh derby as Watsonians host Heriot’s Blues at Myreside.

The Blues and Watsonians last met a month ago where Heriot’s came away with the win following a last-minute try (17-12), so this rematch will almost certainly be set to produce some more edge-of-the-seat moments.

After three losses in a row, last year’s champions finally got back to winning ways last weekend against Cartha Queen’s Park.

Watsonians Fran McGhie had much to answer to for that success as she returned to the fold after a five-week absence to score four tries for her side. With a further three tries scored by Susie Clements, Charlotte Runcie and Mary Nelson, Watsonian’s bonus point win was more than secured and the team pushed back into third place in the table standings.

Praising his squad’s return to form, Head Coach Bruce Millar said: “It was good to get a home win last week with a much-improved performance against a tough Cartha side. We were gutted to lose in the last play of the game at Goldenacre four weeks ago and the team are determined to turn things around at Myreside.

“An Edinburgh derby always brings out the best in both teams and we will have to be at our very best as we aim to achieve back-to-back wins for the first time this season.”

After a bye last weekend, Heriot’s are eager to get back onto the pitch and build on their previous game against Garioch (0-35).

Blue’s Head Coach, Lucy Brown is hopeful that her side can do the double, saying: “After a week’s break, the squad are keen to get back on the pitch and showcase what we’ve been working on. Playing Watsonians earlier in the season showed the grit and determination that the players have to get the win and see out the game, a trait which will put us in good stead going into the second half of the league.

“With younger players now pushing on, it will be exciting to see what they can add to an already talented squad, who are starting to believe in their abilities and go toe-to-toe with the established teams within the league.”

Watsonian FC v Heriot’s Blues – Myreside, KO 2pm

In our second match, Cartha Queen’s Park host Stirling County at Dumbreck.

It has been a testing few weeks for the Glasgow side as they’ve continued to front up well against their opposition but have fallen short of the mark to secure much needed table points. It has been some four weeks since their last victory, where they thwarted Heriot’s Blues with a last minute try to claim a bonus point win. Could this weekend be their come back?

Last weekend Stirling County made their own come back following their first defeat of the season against Corstorphine Cougars, overcoming opposition from Hillhead Jordanhill (15-34) to further extend their lead at the top of the table.

The visitors will hope that their returned form can be maintained this weekend against Cartha.

Cartha Queen’s Park v Stirling County – Dumbreck, KO 2pm

On Sunday, Hillhead Jordanhill will welcome Garioch to Hughenden.

These two sides previously met in August where Hills claimed the victory at Kellands Park, 5-39.

Following on from Watsonians bonus win last weekend, Hills have been bumped out of the coveted play-off spots, and so they will be hopeful that a strong performance this weekend could put them back into the top four.

It’s been a tough first ride in the Premiership for Garioch as they continue to search for their first league points, and they will hope that this trip West will be their turning point.

Hillhead Jordanhill v Garioch – Hughenden, KO 2pm

Cougars have a bye week after last week’s dominating performance over Garioch.

TENNENT’S NATIONAL 1

In Tennent’s National 1, Biggar will host Stewartry in a top of the table clash at Hartree Mill. The hosts will be keen to bounce back from their first defeat of the season last weekend against Ayr. A bonus point win for Stewartry would see them overtake Biggar in the standings.

After claiming their second win of the season last weekend against West of Scotland (34-48), Broughton will host Ayr this weekend. The visitors will be equally as keen to build on their form from the previous two weekends to claim a third consecutive win.

Finally, Howe of Fife will welcome West of Scotland to Duffus Park. Whilst it’s been a tough couple of weeks for both teams, they will targeting this game as their come back fixture as they scramble to add some more points to the league table.

All three games kick off at 2pm on Sunday.