Four-try player of the match Sky Phimister says it feels “amazing” to have won the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership final – and with it the title – with Stirling County.
At a wet and windy Bridgehaugh on Saturday, the quartet of tries by the talented young winger were added to by scores by back-row Holland Bogan (2) and tighthead prop Rachel Cox and stand-off Ceitidh Ainsworth converted two as the hosts came out on top 39-12.
Watsonians had taken the lead early on via a Cieron Bell try, but did not score again until the closing minutes when Hannah Ramsay scored a converted effort.
“That was insane, it was amazing,” Phimister told BBC ALBA after the game.
“It was my first full getting back, last time out I played 40 minutes coming back from a three-month injury, so having this as my first full 80 minutes back in some time is very special.
“I love this team so much. They bring a completely different meaning to the word family and I couldn’t ask for anything more from them.
“Obviously, there is a structure to the way we play and we are very well coached here, but as long as we’re having fun then that’s important too and we have the players to win games.
“We are just all buzzing about this win.”
This title is very well-deserved with this being County’s 14th win out of 14 and they have now won three top flight titles in four years, this one backing up the 2022/23 and 2023/24 successes.
“I am absolutely delighted with the win,” County head coach Mark Ainsworth said.
“The conditions affected the game and our game plan and in years gone by I might have been worried about that, but not now because we can play a number of different ways. We have slick backs, but we also have some real nuggety forwards who just carry and carry and get us on the front foot and they did that here.
“I think the game was won in the first half because they had the wind and only scored one try while we got one before half-time, our third, and just built and built from there.
“Going unbeaten in the league this season was never a goal, we just wanted to win the league again and push our standards higher. This is a great squad, they work hard and they gel together so well.”
Sky Phimister is pictured – thanks to ST Photography
From November 14 to December 14, GH Media will be featuring on all aspects of women’s rugby in Scotland including the exciting conclusion to the domestic Premiership, news on Scots playing down south and lots more during a busy month.