Women’s Premiership Preview | Round 9

Watsonian FC v Stirling County – Myreside, KO 2pm

It’s time for a top of the table clash, as Watsonians host Stirling County at Myreside on Saturday, in what will likely be a must-win game for both sides.

A win for Watsonians will see them maintain their unbeaten run and give them a slight points cushion in the table standings, whilst a win for County would see them overtake the capital side in the table, taking them right to the top.

Watsonians have yet to face the reigning Champions with their Round 2 fixture awarded a 0-28 win in favour of the Edinburgh outfit, with County unable to field a team.

Last weekend, Watsonians triumphed on the road against Hills in a seven try spectacle, with full-back Shannon Macey picking up Player of the Match for her brace of tries and solid defensive work.

Rachel Law, captain of Watsonians is excited about the challenges that lies ahead of them this weekend, saying: “We are really looking forward to the top of the table clash. It will be quite the day for Watsonians as a whole club as we have three teams playing at home, so it will be a cracking day of rugby. We’re hoping for some good home support will help us get the win.”

Stirling’s form in the league so far has been exemplary thus far, backed up with a convincing 42-24 victory at home last weekend against Heriot’s Blues. Stand-off Ceitidh Ainsworth added a brace to her haul of tries in the league so far, whilst Sarah and Jodie Murdoch, Ailsa Luke and Rachel Cox also added five points to the board each.

You won’t want to miss this game.

Cartha Queens Park v Heriot’s Blues – Dumbreck, KO 2pm

The first in West versus East fixtures this weekend is Cartha Queens Park versus Heriot’s Blues.

Last weekend Heriot’s were defeated by a physical Stirling County (42-24) whilst Cartha claimed a 10-34 victory on the road to Stewartry for their second win of the season.

Cartha and Heriot’s have yet to face off this season as their previous head-to-head saw the Blues awarded a 28-0 win with Cartha unable to field a team.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Giselle Chicot, Co-Captain of Heriot’s Blues said: “The team is looking forward to taking on Cartha this Saturday, as our first fixture was cancelled. We haven’t tested ourselves against them yet, so we are unsure what to expect.

“After the last couple of disappointing weeks, we have regathered ourselves and gone back to the basics. The players are much more connected and doubling their efforts at training. We are hungrier than ever for a win and hopefully the hard work will pay off this weekend.”

Hillhead Jordanhill v Corstorphine Cougars – Hughenden, KO 2pm

In our second Glasgow versus Edinburgh fixture, Hills welcome Cougars to Hughenden.

Last weekend, Hills couldn’t quite get the better of league leaders, Watsonians, as they went down 12-41. For Cougars on the other hand, they enjoyed a 74-7 victory at Union Park over Garioch.

When the sides last met in late August, Hills walked away from Union Park with a 5-12 victory in what as a physical and tense battle between the city sides.

Hills captain Hannah Telling believes her squad are ready to dust themselves off and go again this weekend, saying: “We’ve picked ourselves up after a disappointing performance last week and we’re ready to face Cougars head on at Hughenden on Saturday. We came away with a deserved win against a physical Cougars team last time so we’re looking for a repeat this week.

“It’s always a feisty game between the two clubs so it should be a good watch for any supporters coming down!”

Eric Jones, Head Coach at Cougars is equally excited to the re-match, saying: “We always look forward to playing Hills, we know that both teams always leave it out there on the pitch and with this weekend’s weather it could be one of the more attritional games.

“We’ve a pretty settled starting squad this weekend with the potential for Niamh Woodhouse to get her debut off the bench which is another positive as we grow the depth of the whole squad who are getting experience of playing at Premiership level.”

Garioch v Stewartry Sirens – Postponed 

We’re going to have to wait for what will no doubt be an exciting match between Garioch and Stewartry with player welfare prioritised this weekend over travel warnings to Aberdeenshire in the midst of Storm Babet.

Please note that all listed fixtures are accurate as of 5.00pm on Friday 20 October and may be subject to change based on pitch inspections and travel warnings in light of Storm Babet.