County came into this game seeking a win to get their league campaign back on track. After a wet few days, conditions were pretty good at Bridgehaugh and the team benefitted from some vocal support in the stands. They were treated to a performance of quality rugby as County ran in eight tries, despite some tenacious defence. Rachel Shankland scored 4 tries and Evie Galagher put in a player of the match performance which underlined why she is such an exciting prospect for the national team. Throughout the game the set piece gave County solid possession and the half-backs distributed consistently and intelligently to give a platform for some attractive rugby
County had most of the early possession and territory but it was ten minutes before they registered a score. Working back down the short side from a ruck, Fi Keys moved wide to open up space for Evie Gallagher, who broke the line and managed to shake off the pursuing defenders from 30 metres out.
At the mid-way point of the first half, Stirling extended their lead when Evie Gallagher broke from a scrum and worked the short side again. She fed Beth Streets, who timed her pass well to set up Rachel Shankland for a powerful burst up the touch line to make it 10-0. County continued to move the ball well and mix up their attacking play. On 27 minutes they pinned Watsonians in their own half with 13 tackles before they turned the ball over. County then went through the phases with 15 players touching the ball before Hev Davies broke through and ran under the posts for a try that she converted. It was an outstanding period of defensive and attacking play that thrilled the County support.
From the kick-off, County kept the ball alive and Orla Proctor made a powerful burst through the Watsonians defence. She was supported by Rachel Shankland who took a beautiful off load on a switch line and ran in from the twenty-two. Another conversion took Stirling to a 22-0 lead but two ties from Watsonians just before half time meant the game was back in the balance. Both came from repeated penalties which allowed Watsonians to get into the County red zone and use their big ball carriers to mount concerted pressure close the line.
HALF-TIME: Stirling County 22 – 14
From the kick-off, County kept the ball alive and Orla Proctor made a powerful burst through the Watsonians defence. She was supported by Rachel Shankland who took a beautiful off load on a switch line and ran in from the twenty-two. Another conversion took Stirling to a 22-0 lead but two ties from Watsonians just before half time meant the game was back in the balance. Both came from repeated penalties which allowed Watsonians to get into the County red zone and use their big ball carriers to mount concerted pressure close the line.
Stirling have lost ground after half-time in previous games and with Shib Cattigan joining the fray at half-time, they were aiming to break the pattern. That was achieved ten minutes in, when Neve Henderson fielded an exit kick from Watsonians on the touch line and counter attacked strongly from half-way. Again County went through the phases, with 10 players handling the ball before Hev Davies spotted a gap around the ruck and sprinted in from twenty metres out. Shib Cattigan added the conversion. From the kick-off Watsonians went long to Rachel Shankland who arced around the outside of the defence and made good ground before off-loading to Evie Gallagher on her inside shoulder. From 40 metres out, Evie sprinted under the posts. With the conversion added County took a commanding 36-14 lead.
The scoring continued with two excellent tries from the backs. From more good phase play, the ball went left to Beth Streets who timed her pass perfectly to find Rachel Shankland hit a great line on half-way. She broke the defensive line and never looked like being stopped by the covering tacklers. Shib added the extras to take it to 43-14.
The final score from County came five minutes from the end. From a mid-field scrum the ball went to Orla Proctor who passed to Rachel on an overs line that out-flanked the Watsonians defence. Again Rachel powered through a covering tackle to score and give County a 48-14 lead.
The final play of the game saw Watsonians come back with a pick and go try after a period of pressure on the County line – but there was no taking the gloss off an impressive performance from the Stirling Women. This is a performance that has been coming. There is no doubt that welcoming back three international players to the club has given the squad a lift. This was genuine team effort though. The quality of rugby on display was a credit to the players and provided top quality entertainment for the spectators. The Tennants Premiership is delivering some very competitive matches this year, which highlight how much the women’s game is developing in Scotland. With the first round of the competition complete, County sit fourth equal with two wins from five games. They need to kick on in the second half of the competition to finish in the top four and earn a play-off place in January.
The next game sees league leaders Corstophine Cougars come to Bridgehaugh on Sunday 24th October. Get the date in your diary!
FULL-TIME: Stirling County 48 – 19 Watsonians
Our thanks to sponsors Precise Medical Aesthetics for supporting the team.
