5.45pm Sarah Beaney Cup – Hillhead Jordanhill RFC v Watsonian FC

WE ARE DELIGHTED to have reached the final and the fact that this is the 5th consecutive final for the girls shows the incredible efforts that they have put in to maintain such a high standard for so long.

It was a great confidence boost to be going into the final with the impressive performance in the penultimate round against Ayr RFC. We have a really close and tight-knit squad, that is ready to relish the challenge that is ahead! We really feel like we’re ready to perform at BT Murrayfield and are up for the final challenge of facing Watsonians FC this Saturday!

This season has had many different highs throughout it. One of the obvious highs was the girls retaining the women’s premiership league title. However, there has been some lows through the season as well as it has been a year that has been tormented by injuries. In total we have over 25 different injuries happen through the year for major injuries in the likes of Siobhan McMillan and Sophie Anderson to have smaller injuries that have players out for just a couple games. This however does make what we have achieved this year even greater. As we haven’t had it easy and the girls have had to really work hard for everything they have got this year as well. With obviously loosing quite a few seniors players last year due to them finishing up there time playing there wasn’t as many leaders within the group as I previous years. However, this gave some girls a real opportunity and chance to rise up to the challenge and we have no got a team with a real cohesion and a group of different leaders all in their own way.

The international girls have accomplished so much this year both with Scotland 15’s, 7’s and hills. What they have achieved is down to the extensive hard work they have all individually put in behind the scenes. They have always had a great attitude as well when returning back to hills after being away with Scotland. An example of this was when Hannah Smith was not even home 24 hours from Hong and played in the cup quarter final against Stirling. It was great to see Sophie Anderson get her first cap as well this year, even though we haven’t seen her in hills colours she has been an incredible support and has carried herself in such a positive light throughout her injury which am sure has rubbed off on some of the other girls when they have short term injuries. Louise our captain as well has been a truly leader of this team on and off the field. She always carries herself with great distinction and has great respect for every player within the team, and thus earns her the respect of everyone else. Louise is another that did have an injury set this year but she showed great character to get herself for again for the Honk Kong 7’s. Abi Evans has worked tirelessly behind the scenes and that is now showing in the international stage. With scoring for the Scotland 15’s on a few occasion as well as having a few brilliant performances out on Hong Kong at the 7’s. Siobhan McMillan has been another player that has been ruled out of playing for a while due to injury. However, Siobhan has an incredible attitude and which is fuelled by at brilliant hunger and desire to become better. She always demands the best out of the girls and herself when she plays and this is a brilliant attribute to have as a player.

In this side of the year we have had a few of the younger girls starting to come up and joining the senior ladies not just in training but in games as well. Of the young girls that has just started coming to senior ladies training is Eve Thomson. Eve was another girl that suffered a unfortunate injury last year, but she is now recovered and back to playing. Eve has a brilliant attitude towards by throwing herself straight into everything. Another under 18 that has stepped up this year is young Aimee Johnstone. Aimee has played a huge part within our cup campaign this year. She has really been a great example for all the younger girls within the club. She carries herself amazingly in every training and match and is truly some with a mature head on young shoulders. Another mention must go out of young Carla Mcdonald who is younger sister of Mairi Mcdonald. Carla has been one of the most regular attendees to the senior ladies training even though she is still and under 15. For someone so young to have the confidence to fit in shows how amazing this young ladies character is. I truly believe Carla has taken huge steps of improving as a player this year due to being exposed to a lot more rugby that is of a higher quality and at a faster pace. She is now starting to also show some great leadership skills within her younger age groups.

As group we are now all really looking forward to the final. We have all worked incredibly hard to get to where we are and we are determined not to take the foot of the pedal now. We have got two weeks of training ahead and we going to make the most of it. The ladies are excited to showoff what they are capable of on the big day.

Stirling County Women 28 – Hillhead Jordanhill Women 48

Aird Jardine, assisted by Rory Harte, travelled with their squad to Stirling County’s picturesque grounds, Bridehaugh.

Prior to the match Stirling were sat level with Hills having won all four of their opening matches, and as such the game was always going to be fierce test. True to their form, Stirling opened the scoring by crossing the whitewash in the first five minutes. The flow of the game soon changed and Hills began to assert their dominance, with physicality from the forwards and dynamic runs from the backs. Stirling weren’t completely out of the picture, scoring two tries to Hills’ four by the end of the first half.

Heather Lockhart really came into her stride during the second half, her trustworthy hands and big tackles saw her awarded Aird’s player of the match. The McMillan sisters, Louise (Captain) and Siobhan brought their A-game with clinical big hits, strong carries and troubled Stirling in the rucks. Centre duo, Hannah Smith and Abi Evans ran some greatly effective lines that had the Stirling defence working overtime, earning themselves a lion’s share of the tries. Mairi McDonald had a flawless game at Scrum Half, supplying the ball with clinical precision. Starting wings, Emma Barlow and Lucy Mills enjoyed their day, recording a try each – Emma continuing her impressive form having made the transition from Hockey to Rugby last season. Emma’s second half replacement, Juliet Ross also made an impression as a safe pair of hands and held the defensive line well. Lucy and Juliet have both recently made the seamless transition from age-grade rugby to senior rugby in the Scottish Premiership, with their performances justifying their place in the 1st XV squad.

Stand-Off, Phillipene Mias is new to the club, joining us from FC Grenoble Rugby. She’s made her name a top priority for Aird’s selection process, demonstrating this by controlling play with a calm and cool head, key attributes of a great 10. Later in the game Aimee Watson made some great tackles, hitting Stirling’s attack low and hard. Full back Amanda Jane had solid game managing the back 3 with experience and efficiency. Forwards, Hannah Telling and Kirsty McConnell brought their usual energy to pack, quick off the line in defence they ensured that Stirling were under constant pressure, hampering their attempts at progress. Stella Kyalikunda, Fiona Dorman, Kirsty Reid and Rachel Kerr all played their part in the success with their work rate and resolve. In summary, a great team effort all round by Hills!

Tries: Abi Evans (5), Hannah Smith, Lucy Mills, Emma Barlow
Conversions: Amanda Jane (4)