Women’s Premiership Round 5 | Preview

Hillhead Jordanhill v Garioch – Hughenden, KO 2pm

Hillhead Jordanhill have impressed so far this season, with two close games against Watsonians and Stirling County, and last weekend they added to their tight win against Cougars with a 7-43 victory over Cartha Queens Park.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s home fixture to Garioch, the Glasgow side are looking to add a fourth victory.

Hills captain Hannah Telling said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Garioch down to Hughenden this weekend. We’ve been focusing on playing our game so far this season and that’s showing through with some great team performances and results. Garioch are a strong team with some good runners so it’s sure to be a cracking game!”

Whilst they’ve yet to secure a win, Garioch’s performances have been improving week on week, and captain Samantha Ross has been impressed by her squad’s grit and determination throughout, saying: “The entire team put in a much-improved performance from our previous loss to Heriot’s. Last weekend was a tough game against a solid Watsonians side in some hot conditions. We left a few points out there which we are disappointed about, but the improvements are coming.

“Facing Hills away this weekend will be a very tough shift for us but we’re geared up for the challenge!”

Corstorphine Cougars v Heriot’s Blues – Union Park, KO 2pm

Heriot’s have had a less than ideal start to the season, having only played in two of the four rounds, due to opposition injury hampering squad selection, so the Blues will be looking forward to getting back onto the pitch this weekend as they travel across the capital to face Corstorphine Cougars.

Although they sit in fourth place in the table, Corstorphine Cougars are leading on points scored, scoring an impressive 26 tries from four games.

Reflecting on last weekend’s narrow 31-30 loss to title defenders, Stirling County, Head Coach, Eric Jones said: “We’ve had a good week at training in preparation for Heriot’s. Whilst disappointed at the result from last weekend, we recognise that there were some really good sections of the game where we were well in control, so we’ll be looking to make the most of those periods this weekend and ensure that there is more of an 80-minute performance.

“Heriot’s have only played two games so far this season, so it’s hard to get a gauge on where they are, but I think we’re getting more clarity on what we’re looking to achieve each week and that’s what we’ll be focussing on.”

Stewartry v Watsonian FC – Greenlaw, KO 2pm

Stewartry go head-to-head to table leaders Watsonians this weekend at Greenlaw.

The home team will be looking forward to getting back to the pitch this weekend after having to forfeit their game against Heriot’s Blues through player injury. Stewartry’s last fixture was on Saturday 2 September where the suffered a tough 68-0 loss to Cougars.

For the visitors on the other hand, they will be looking to maintain their league leading performances.

Last weekend Watsonians enjoyed a bumper 12-57 victory at Kellands Park where eventual player of the match Sophie Anderson scored two of their nine tries.

Stirling County v Cartha Queens Park – Bridgehaugh, KO 2pm

Stirling County have been providing truly entertaining rugby so far this season with edge of your seat victories in three out of four rounds.

Last weekend County claimed a win from Cougars by just one point (31-30). Five tries were scored by County last weekend, a brace from stand-off Ceitidh Ainsworth, captain Jodie Murdoch, Ailsa Luke and Sarah Murdoch.

Cartha Queens Park have had a tricky start to their Premiership campaign, having most recently faced a 7-43 defeat at home to Hills. They will be looking to bounce back this weekend as they travel to Bridgehaugh to face the title defenders.