Sport round-up
RUGBY
GREENOCK ................................................7 PERTHSHIRE WOMEN............................72
Perthshire Women triumphed emphatically to book a spot in this weekend’s National Bowl final.
A special trip through to the capital is scheduled for Saturday where Hillhead Jordanhill provide the opposition in the showdown encounter.
Shire’s forever-improving team will proudly line-up at the DAM Health Stadium for a 10.30am kick-off.
Their route to the final was made possible thanks to a stunning win in the last four against Greenock Wanderers at the end of last month.
With plenty at stake, those kitted out in black and white started strongly when co-captain Heather Mckenzie scored the first five points of the day.
The feisty forward then ran hard through the middle of the Greenock defence to dive over the whitewash for the second time.
Keen to keep the momentum flowing, a few phases of attack would see winger Katie Whelan receive ball to score her first try of the season.
Shire were soon awarded a penalty and co-captain Alex Ward’s quick reaction allowed her to slip through the defence and score under the posts.
Katie Bromley was making dominant tackles and Jackie Mcconville closing any appearing gaps.
With a powerful lift from Suzanne Rennie and Fiona Gordon at a line-out, Bromley beautifully retained possession.
A penalty was awarded and Gordon took this as her time to shine, adding another five points.
Greenock had some concrete possession, working well as a unit, but were undone by unfortunate knock-ons.
After a tactical pick and go, captain Mckenzie charged through numerous opponents to gain yards before offloading onto support players sprinting up the middle of the pitch. The ball found its way back into her hands and she dived over the try line for the third time.
Shire did not take long to punch further holes through Greenock’s defence.
After some strong phases, Claire Rae utilised her leg power against the weakened home forwards and Ward kicked into space.
Emily Tait competed well and darted for the try-line before getting tackled just short.
After an award-winning pop in the air to Mcconville, Shire were able to score their seventh try of the day for a 41-0 lead.
Another knock-on presented the incentive - not that one was needed - for further advances towards the try line.
Ward was able to kick and chase the ball down for her second score of the day.
Then Mckenzie fought her way through to score yet another try before super-subs, including Danni Henderson, started to make a powerful impact.
It was soon time for Eilidh Patterson to show her evasive skills by fending off tackles and sprinting over the whitewash.
Not long after, a physical run from Heather Kirkman - feigning off girls left, right and centre - resulted in more points being added to the total.
Greenock did manage to get some welldeserved points on the board but the final push over the whitewash went to Shire when Tait grabbed her first try of the season.
Tickets for Perthshire’s final this Saturday can be bought online: https:// www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby
HORSE RACING
Kinross-shire trainer Lucinda Russell kept the positive momentum flowing with success at Perth Racecourse last week.
Off the back of a recent Grand National win, Russell was in attendance at the Scone track for the Betvictor Perth Festival and watched Corrigeen Rock and Giovinco impress in two of Wednesday’s openers.
Corrigeen Rock claimed the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase for a third win of his novice chase season.
Giovinco, in the British EBF Betvictor Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, was “simply a revelation” after producing a classy and dominant run while stepping up in class.
He powered clear by 12 lengths, providing Stephen Mulqueen with his 100th career winner in the process.
Jockey Derek Fox, who saddled Corach Rambler to Aintree glory, broke his collarbone in his fall from Diamond State and will take a few weeks off to recover.
On the Thursday, Laura Morgan took her new personal best season on to the 40 winner mark after Whistleinthedark extended his unbeaten record over fences in the £25,000 Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase.
Caius Marcius, ridden by Brian Hughes and sent off at 20-1, was given a great reception after he bagged the 16th win of his career in the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal Handicap Hurdle.
Friday highlights included If Not For Dylan winning the £30,000 Betvictor Highland National.
Trained by Carluke permit-holder Andrew Hamilton and ridden by Alan Doyle, the 22/1 chance edged clear in a driving finish to the 3m 6f marathon.
And there was more success for Lucinda Russell Racing who celebrated two victories to end the 2022/23 jumps season on a personal best of 71 winners.
Triumphs for Readysteadybeau and El Elefante was the “perfect way” to round off what has been a tremendous campaign.
Lucinda Russell Racing noted: “This season’s results reflect the hard work and energy of the whole team in producing these wonderful horses and big thanks must also go to our owners who have backed us with such confidence throughout.”
Racing continues at Perth later this month and the full fixture list is at perthraces.co.uk
MOTORSPORT
Perth driving ace Chloe Grant opened her F1 Academy campaign with two top 10 placings.
The 17-year-old, making her series debut and maiden race appearance for the ART Grand Prix team, was in action at the Red Bull Ring (RBR) in Austria over the weekend.
She posted ninth and 10th placings on her first-ever visit to the RBR while competing against many more experienced drivers.
Chloe started all three races from ninth place on the 15-car grid after wet qualifying sessions.
Despite contact with another car on the final lap, the Loughborough College student recorded a 10th place finish but encountered a transmission issue in Race 2 causing retirement.
In Race 3, she finished ninth having run as high as fifth.
The experience has provided Chloe with masses of knowledge which she will look to put to good use at the next event in Valencia this weekend.
Chloe said: “The team and I learned a lot at the opening event which I firmly believe will help us massively heading to Spain this weekend.
“After qualifying and the three races in Austria, I’m feeling much more confident looking towards Valencia. It’s a big learning curve but I was generally happy with my pace.
“It was good to experience the car in both wet and dry conditions - which again I can put to good effect at future events during the season.”
ATHLETICS
Perth Strathtay Harriers are again showing they are on the fast track to success this year.
Among the recent achievements was a third place podium finish for both Gabi Whyte and Tom Hilton in their respective Scottish Primary Schools Cross Country Championships.
The Harriers were also well represented at the Scottish Student Athletics Track and Field Championships held at Grangemouth.
Local sprinter and UHI Perth student Lois Garland impressed while winning 200m gold and top thrower Lauryn Wood achieved a podium place competing for Stirling University.