Women’s Premiership 2023 | Round 2

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 28: Garioch's Sammy Ross is pictured ahead of the 2023/24 Women's Tennent's Premiership season at the West of Scotland RFC, on July 28, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Heriot’s Blues and Cartha Queens Park fixture has been conceded by the visitors due to insufficient player numbers, giving the Blues an automatic 28-0 win.

Saturday 26 August, Stewartry v Garioch, 2pm KO

It has been quite some time since Garioch and Stewartry have met on the pitch.

The two sides previously faced-off in the 2021/22 National 1 final, battling for Premiership promotion. Despite the Sirens taking a 5-10 lead, Garioch brought it back in the second half to earn the title, winning 19-10. We can expect this weekend’s game to be hotly contested and thoroughly competitive.

Both teams went defeated last weekend and will be looking to regroup and collect their first win of the season on Saturday.

Garioch had a tough job taking on last year’s runners up, Cougars and despite best efforts came away scoreless, with the visitors winning 0-76.

Despite losing 53-19 to Cartha Queens Park last week, Stewartry were able to get points on the board and making a good showing in their 2023 Premiership debut.

Inside centre, Phaedra Snailham stood out amongst the squad for Stewartry last weekend, scoring a brace of tries with Lisa Ritchie successfully converting both. Snailham was one of the two try scorers in the National 1 final against Garioch in 2022 and could be one to watch this weekend.

Saturday 26 August, Stirling County v Watsonian FC

Last year’s champions were taken right to the wire by Heriot’s Blues last weekend, but ultimately came out on top with a try-bonus win.

County’s performance last weekend was one of a team effort, with seven tries scored by seven different individuals, including Vice-Captain and Player of the Match, Rachel Cox.

Cox and Ceitidh Ainsworth both impressed from the boot, converting three and four times respectively.

Watsonians also earned a try-bonus win, defeating Hillhead Jordanhill 43-26.

Sophie Anderson, Briar McNamara and Shannon Macey all scored a brace of tries for the Edinburgh side and could provide to be real threats to the champions this weekend.

Sunday 27 August, Corstorphine Cougars v Hillhead Jordanhill, KO 2pm

Hillhead Jordanhill are back in Edinburgh this weekend, facing Corstorphine Cougars this time at Union Park.

Cougars displayed a dominant performance on the road to Garioch last weekend, with Merryn Gunderson standing out amongst the pack scoring four tries and earning Player of the Match. Gunderson will be one to watch this weekend.

Despite coming away defeated last weekend, Hills made a strong come back in the second half against Watsonians with tries from Hannah McHugh, Tallulah Armstrong, Amanda Jane and Captain, Hannah Telling.

Merryn Gunderson scoring one of her four tries last weekend. Photo credit: Gareth Falls.