Stirling County Womens 1st XV 27 Hillhead Jordanhill Womens 1st XV 19 points
Bernie Mitchell
It was a rousing and supportive entry onto the Bridehaugh sward from an assembled group of Pipers who played “ Scotland the Brave “, as both sides took to the field on a heavy, but eminently playable surface. Indeed Hills had much the better of the first half when playing with the wind, and for much of the time pinning their hosts in their own half. Always anxious to move the ball by hand rather than use the benefits of the wind, Hills women scored 3 tries : the first from the aggressive Hannah Dunnet in the centre, the second from fine follow up work from back rower, Sophie Price and then the quicksilver, Millie Warren, touching down for the 3rd. Amanda Jane added 2 conversions off the kicking tee. For their part, Stirling always tried to handle even from within their own twenty two , but were very well marshalled with some fierce tackling from all the Hills players. Advantage 19-5 Hills at the mid point.
In the second half Stirling were quickly into their stride and dominated in open play, but Hills continued to perform well in the set scrum , based on their solid front row, and on the touchline. Yet inexorably, Stirling women clawed back the half time deficit and were a point ahead at 20-19 with only 10 minutes left. Hills, inspired by a rousing lead from Phil Abernethy and Debbie Lee in ball carrying and captain Kate Yeomans in linkage play, mounted a series of charges on the home line , but the Stirling defence held and some 50-50 decisions fell on the wrong side. Indeed the smallest attacker on the field, Sonia Smolina was a constant threat outwide the whole game. But as happens often, one slight slip in ball handling handed back the advantage to Stirling, and they moved the ball down the field successfully to score almost by the right touch flag. To rub salt into the wound, the conversion sailed between the posts, thereby denying the battling Hills a deserved bonus point. It was a fine game and both squads are to be congratulated on their fitness levels and their commitment in unfavourable playing conditions.
While the defeat was disappointing and perhaps terminal to Hills hopes for a return to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the final of the Sarah Beaney Cup, a 5 point victory over Corstorphine at Hughenden in the final round of games next Saturday, April 5th, might just be enough to elevate them into second place in the table, with other results going their way. Certainly a week’s fine weather should provide the surface for the Hills fliers, Sonia Smolina, Beth Tobin and Brogan Carberry to go through their gears and have the wheels moving too quickly for their visitors.
ROUND 6 of the Sarah Beaney cup – HILLS v CORSTORPHINE APRIL 5 14.00 KO
