Silver and gold for Stirling County girls
Under 18s win while Under 15s are pipped
Stirling County girls narrowly missed out on a double helping of silverware at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.
Teams were playing in the finals of their respective national cup finals – and while the Under 18s staved off a spirited fightback by Hillhead Jordanhill to win, there was agony for the younger girls as they were pipped by Biggar.
The Under 18 final looked one-sided as Stirling raced to a 26-0 half-time lead through tries from Erin Sinclair, Caitlin McLaren and two from Vicky Goodwin, plus three conversions from Beth Streets.
After the interval, Caitlyn Fraser broke the defence to touch down to make it 31-0 before Hillhead Jordanhill began to hit back.
Four tries and three conversions saw the momentum swing towards Hills with the majority of play taking place in County’s 22.
But following a spilled ball, County attacked and Goodwin danced her way past several defenders to reach over the line for her third try and victory by 36-26.
Stirling U18s: Ellen Clark; Niamh Proctor (capt), Vicky Goodwin, Evie Gallagher, Rebecca More; Evie Willis, Erin Sinclair; Niamh Woods, Laura Manson, Freya Baxter, Eva Donaldson, Erin Watson, Kirsty Martin, Beth Streets, Eilliann Clarke. Replacements: Emily Clark, Ruby Adam, Niamh Feighan, Catherine Mitchell, Caitlin McLaren, Kayleigh Fraser, Sophie Rose.
In the Under 15 final, opponents Biggar started well, but it was County wing Rowan McPherson who scored the first try of the game.
Four tries and a conversion looked to have put Biggar on the way to victory at 22-5 but two scores by Brooke McDonald and Orla Proctor brought County to within seven points at the break.
In the second half, Freya Walker’s try made it 22-20 but in the 56th minute, Biggar centre Rachel Phillips scored the crucial try for a 27-20 victory.
A club spokesperson said: “Both of the Stirling County teams who played on finals day are a credit to the club and it was great to have club directors and fellow coaches present alongside family and friends to watch the matches.
“The players are a key part of the future of women’s and girls rugby in Stirling, a branch of the game that was hugely supported by the late Al Munn.”
Stirling U15s: Cyan van Schalkwyk; Rowan McPherson, Orla Proctor, Lorna Farquhar (capt), Mia White; Laura Reid-Kay, Rhea Clarke; Natasha Logan, Clara Turnbull, Jenna Duncan, Brooke McDonald, Jemma Cameron, Eva Fisher. Replacements: Francesca Giovanetti, Emma Stirling, Isla O’Sullivan, Ellee Mills, Freya Walker, Mirren Torkington, Natasha McEwan.