Watsonians lift the Tennent’s Women’s Premiership Trophy for the first time

It was the hosts that scored first but Hills quickly followed suit before a second try allowed them to take an early lead.

Watsonians quickly fought back to even the score to 12-12. Just before half-time they took the lead and the half-time score was 17-12 to Watsonians

The second half was just as exciting. Watsonians held their lead throughout but with scores a plenty from both sides the score just prior to the full-time whistle was 29-26 to Watsonians.

The hosts managed to extend their lead right when it mattered though and scored just before the whistle to leave the final score at 36-26 to Watsonians.

Watsonians Captain, Rachel Bragg said on the win: “We are absolutely delighted that we have won. It was a really tough game and hills really brought it to us which we were obviously expecting.

“It was very tough conditions today, but I just want to say a thank you to our coaching staff and our team in general as we have all put in the work this season.

“To bring it to a close like this at the end has just been the icing on the cake. We are just really looking forward to the Sarah Beaney Cup now and what comes next for the team.”

Hillhead Jordanhill Head Coach, Aird Jardine, said: “It was a brilliant game of women’s rugby on display yesterday.

“It was intense and physical from the first whistle and it didn’t let up throughout the game. The Hills players put in a massive amount of effort in both our attack and defence and put their bodies on the line over and over again.

“Even though we might not have got the winning result, we are incredibly proud of the effort that the players put in not only to yesterday’s game but to the league campaign as a whole.

“We have a lot of our junior girls coming through into this squad and that is making it even more exciting for the start of the cup campaign in the new year. We believe we are in a really good place as a team and can’t wait to get going again next year.”

Watsonians scorers:
Tries: Panashe Muzambe, Charlotte Runcie, Hannah Smith, Anna Forsyth, Rachel Bragg and Emma Evans.
Conversions: Nicola Nightingale (3)

Hillhead Jordanhill scorers:
Tries: Heather Lockhart, Sophie Anderson, Debbie Lee and Aimee Johnson
Conversions: Sophie Anderson and Mairi McDonald (2)

​Tennent’s Women’s Premiership play-offs

Ayr and Heriot’s Blues Women also took to the field yesterday to play for the final spot in the Tennent’s Women’s Premiership next year.

Ayr showed how much experience they have gained over the last year in the Tennent’s Premiership to beat an experienced Heriot’s team 41-12.

Heriot’s opened the scoring after almost twenty minutes when Annabel Sergeant crossed the line, however, Ayr rallied and responded with two tries courtesy of Connie Griffiths and Catherine Shennan.

Ayr continued to dominate proceedings after the interval, with Gemma McIvor and Cieron Bell crossing the whitewash and Shennan converting one of the scores.

Bell and McIvor grabbed their second scores of the game and were joined on the scoresheet by scrum-half Holly McIntyre. Shennan was successful with a further two conversions.

As the game drew to a close, Heriot’s were awarded a penalty try, however, Ayr’s flurry of tries sealed the victory and their place in the Tennent’s Women’s Premiership next year.

Ayr Ladies Head Coach, Stuart Fenwick, said on the win: “I am delighted for the team and coaches. They’ve worked really hard all season to stay up!

“We have a young developing squad and the youngsters stepped up today and showed they deserve another opportunity at Premiership rugby.”

Heriot’s Blues scorers:
Tries: Annabel Sergeant, penalty try

Ayr scorers:
Tries: Connie Griffiths, Catherine Shennan, Gemma McIvor (2), Cieron Bell (2), Holly McIntyre
Conversions: Shennan (3)