It may be a big Sunday for Scotland, but it is also a big one for Strathaven and Dalkeith as they are meeting in the women’s national Bowl final on the Murrayfield back pitches at noon – it will also be live on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel.
In terms of Strathaven, well they topped Pool B to get this far in the Bowl and they played in the Arnold Clark Women’s West Aspiring League this term too.
Strathaven head coach Barry Martin explains: “We got the team together in February 2024 after myself and my wife Jo had a chat over dinner one Saturday night and she said ‘let’s do it, let’s create a women’s team in Strathaven’.
“We put the idea out on social media and it grew from there. Many have come and tried it, and although not all have stayed, we have almost 40 in the wider squad of players, a team manager, a physio and four coaches.
“The team spirit the togetherness and the passion for the game stand out, as well as showing that anyone can play, regardless of background in sport or age, there are no barriers.
“The experience of travelling to other clubs, being on the road and gaining game experiences both in success and defeating the Aspiring league really helped the team to evolve and grow into what we have now.
“The team are all absolutely buzzing to be playing at the Murrayfield campus on Sunday and win or lose they will enjoy the day and party hard.
“Our biggest achievement is getting here when no one thought we would and to be playing on the same day as the national team puts the icing on the cake.
“As a coach I couldn’t be prouder of the team and everyone who has made it possible. This will be a great day for Strathaven Rugby Club and a day this team will remember forever.”
In terms of Dalkeith, well the Midlothian side will be looking to complete a special 2024/25 season double having won the Arnold Clark Women’s East Midlands Aspiring League earlier in the campaign.
They topped Pool A in the Bowl competition to make it to this big day and last year at the same stage they were edged out 36-29 by Marr so they will want to go one better this time.
Dalkeith head coach Steven Halliday said: “We experienced the Bowl final last season and were on the losing side, so the team have been determined to try and reverse that situation this season.
“It would cap off what has been a brilliant second season for the squad.”
After the game, Scotland and Italy will meet at Hive Stadium a few yards away at 3pm in round three of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Strathaven, main, and Dalkeith are pictured
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