Women’s National Bowl: Hamilton secure a strong Pool D win

This Pool D encounter at Dalziel Park was the final match to be played this weekend ahead of a two-week suspension on rugby in Scotland.

Snaddon was on fire for Hamilton, scoring four tries and kicking an impressive 11 conversions in an excellent all-round performance.

It was just one part of a great 80 minutes for her team, Olivia Quinn (2), Gillian Frew, Ailsa Neilson, Emma Stormonth (2), Siobhan Spiers and Carey Pegrum (2) also scoring tries for the victors.

Chloe Wilson scored their sole try on her debut for Ardrossan and they never gave up.

Hamilton head coach Aiden Curran said: “The game was played at a high tempo throughout by both teams looking for openings to attack.

“Our ball retention and ability to pass the ball quickly through the hands resulted in some superb tries with the first half ending 42-0.

“The second half resumed with a quick score early on. Ardrossan then had a period with the ball, and this resulted in a number of penalties being awarded and from the resulting scrum the ball was passed out to the right-hand side to allow for a score in the corner.

“We refocused and began to find spaces through the middle of the Ardrossan defensive line and Lorraine’s kicking was impressive as she made 11 out of 13 conversions.

“After what was a competitive and, at times, hard hitting game the teams celebrated the game of rugby back at Hamilton Rugby Club in the clubhouse at Laigh Bent afterwards.”

The result leaves Hamilton top of Pool D, above Stornoway on points difference, while Ardrossan, under head coach Gary Duncan, are bottom, but their newer players to the sport are learning with every game.