FOSROC SUPER6: ROUND 7
County went into their home game of the Tennents Premiership, seeking to make up for last week’s defeat in Corstorphine. With the 1st pitch in great condition at Bridgehaugh, County dominated the opening exchanges and opened a gap in Cartha’s defence for full back Kirsty Wilson to make it [5-0].
For most of the next 25 minutes County were camped in Cartha’s half but could not make the pressure count. The ball from rucks was often slow and on a number of occasions County released pressure by giving away penalties. With more than half an hour gone, Cartha were able to level things up when their full back took a ball in mid-field and managed to arc round the County defence.
From the kick off, Stirling applied good pressure and worked a position in the Cartha twenty two. Quick phase play and width of passing opened up half a gap, which was enough for Orla Proctor to hand-off two defenders and make it [10-5] at the break.
It was a narrow lead, given the dominance in territory and possession.
HALF-TIME: Stirling County 15-10 Cartha Queens Park
Frustratingly, it was Cartha who opened the scoring in the second half. Stirling made a good break from deep in their half but the ball was spilled. At the contact area. County were slow to align. Cartha went straight through the middle of the ruck and scored from 40 metres out. It was harsh for Stirling – but a lesson in what can happen when you don’t convert pressure into points and then switch off for a moment.
The County women deserve great credit for holding their nerve. In an eight minute spell they turned the game around. First Sarah Murdoch took a pass off 9 close the Cartha line and with good footwork, stepped inside the defence to score. Well deserved for an exceptionally hard-working player. Sarah’s first try for County after quite a few years grafting for others.
The next score stretched the defence on the outside for Fi Keys to run in a try on the left wing. That was followed by concerted pressure from the kick off leading to Heather Davis cutting through the Cartha defence to score under the posts. [25 -12] to County, with even this conversion missed!
Stirling held on well when Cartha managed a period of serious pressure on the County try line, with Gemma Brown and Orla Proctor prominent in defence. The match ended with Stirling claiming a 5 point win, which lifted them to third in the Premiership table as we prepare for next week’s trip to Hillhead.
FULL-TIME: Stirling County 25 – 12 Cartha Queens Park
Player of the match nominations were shared by Beth Streets who marshalled the game well at 10 and Hev who was her usual human dynamo in attack and defence. The performance hinted at what this squad is capable of. The structure was good in attack and defence. With faster ball from the breakdown and better options taken, this side can ask a lot more questions of a defence.
Our thanks to sponsors Precise Medical Aesthetics for supporting the team, as they get off to the first win of the season.
