Stirling County are top of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership with four bonus point wins from four after their most recent bonus point triumph over Corstorphine Cougars.
At Bridgehaugh on Saturday, the defending champions came out on top 87-12 with Rachel Shankland (2), Scarlett Haddow (2), Sophie Murphy (2), Rachel Cox (2), Sky Phimister (2), Millie Capaldi, Claudia McLaren, Gemma Thomson and Ellie Williamson scoring tries and Cox and Shankland kicking conversions.
“I was absolutely delighted that we maintained our excellent start to the season in this game,” County head coach Mark Ainsworth said.
“Our set piece was looking more solid than previous weeks and our continuity and decision making in open play was testament to the hard work that has been put in at training.”
The Cougars have had a tough start to the campaign, losing four from four to sit bottom of the eight-team division.
Erica Gladwin and Eilidh Rose scored their tries with Caitlin Hadley converting one.
Cougars’ head coach Gavin Emerson said: “We went into the game missing quite a few forwards, which meant moving a few backs into positions they’re not used to.
Despite that, I thought there were some good signs and we’re continuing to improve in different areas each week. Obviously, that’s not showing on the scoreboard at the minute, but with the amount of change in the squad this season, we’re still very much building.
“County were good, they kept it pretty simple but executed it really well. They were physical in their carries, got over the gain line consistently and moved the ball quickly around the breakdown which put us under pressure.
“We scored a couple of good tries and showed some of the attacking flair we’ve been working on. The frustrating bit is that we didn’t do it consistently enough which allowed County to slow us down and control the game.”
Hillhead Jordanhill have won four from four and are just behind Stirling in second via points difference after a 46-36 bonus point win away at fourth placed Biggar.
Lexine McCappin (2), Holly McIntyre, Beth Tobin, Rianna Darroch, Lucy Bliss and Abbe Bruce scored tries for the visitors at Hartree Mill with Carla McDonald kicking 11 points.
“We opened up really well in the first 40 minutes and the scoreboard reflected that come half-time,” Hills’ captain Siobhann McGinley said.
“We managed to retain ball and our stand-off Carla was playing a good kicking game which saw us in their ‘22’ for most of the first half.
“Biggar came out firing in the second half and I think gave us a bit of a fright. I was really proud of the girls’ game management and how we adapted to Biggar’s more expansive attack in the second half. We showed some great patience inside their ‘22’ to work through the phases and keep the scoreboard ticking over too.
“It was definitely an 80-minute performance and while we’re happy that we came away with the win we’re looking forward to what we can work on before our Friday night fixture against Cartha.”
Previously unbeaten Biggar took a four-try bonus point from the game and Neve Murray (3), Gemma Bell, Sarah Denholm and Alex Philipps scored tries. Sarah Denholm and Zoe Mitchell kicked conversions.
Their head coach Nic Humphries said: “I thought we came back well after a tough first half when Hills dominated territory and possession.
“In the second half we got the bravery to play the way we like to attack and we kept the ball better. Unfortunately, the gap was too much and Hills got a final couple of scores to stay out of reach.”
Watsonians have moved up to third place after a 63-24 away win against fifth placed Heriot’s.
Cieron Bell (3), Charlotte Russell, Talei Tawake, Dawn Lawrie, Nicole Marlow, Millie Whitehouse, Freya Walker, Helen Frater and Ailie Tucker were the visiting team’s try scorers at Goldenacre in this Edinburgh derby with Marlow kicking four conversions.
Heriot’s managed to pick up a four-try bonus point with Hannah Riddoch, Gracie Ostey and Bethan Mathieson crossing and Rachel Egan and Tamzin Rosie kicking a conversion apiece.
“I was really proud of the team’s effort against a tough opponent,” Heriot’s captain Pearl Kellie said.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth week on week and our aim is always to get something from every game. The win was the ultimate goal, but we got the bonus point to give us confidence going into another tough challenge against Stirling next up.”
Seven days before these three games in the first round four game, sixth placed Garioch edged out Cartha Queens Park 35-34 away at Dumbreck versus seventh placed Cartha Queens Park to get their first win of the season.
The top four/bottom four split in the league comes after seven games in November and round five of fixtures take place this coming Friday and Saturday.
Stirling County are pictured on the attack versus Corstorphine Cougars – thanks to ST Photography
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