SARAH BEANEY CUP: Hillhead Jordanhill 17-21 Watsonians

Both sides showed plenty of attacking rugby in the early stages of the encounter, despite the heavy rain, with Scotland international Hannah Smith displaying some impressive pace to score the first try of the day for Hillhead. Mairi McDonald was successful with the conversion (7-0).

The lead didn’t last for long, though, as Alice King dotted down to bring her side back into it. Nicola Nightingale slotted the conversion. (7-7)

Aillie Tucker showed her power to give the Myreside club the lead, shrugging off several tackles to score under the posts as Nightingale converted with the kick (7-14).

Mairi McDonald slotted a penalty before the break to narrow the gap to four points, before referee Hollie Davidson brought the first half proceedings to a close (10-14).

HALF-TIME: Hillhead Jordanhill 10 – 14 Watsonians

The second half got underway with neither team prepared to back down, although the heavy rain made conditions tough for free-flowing rugby there was still plenty of physicality from both forwards.

Watsonians gave themselves an 11-point cushion in the 62^nd minute as Lana Skeldon broke the line before passing to Megan Gaffney who supplied the ball to Emma Evans to dot down. Skeldon stroked over the conversion. (10-21)

Hillhead-Jordan kept the pressure on, spending 10 minutes camped in their opposition 22 before finally being rewarded. A high tackle by Gaffney prevented Abi Evans from scoring and Evans was given a yellow card, as Hillhead were awarded a penalty try. (17-21)

The Glasgow side tried in vain to find the score that would win the Cup but Watsonians weren’t to be denied their first Sarah Beaney Cup.

At full time Watsonians captain Nicola Nightingale said, “It’s great to get that win, we came here last year and took a bit of a hammering. It’s amazing the amount of work the girls have put in over the last 12 months and to get that result is icing on the cake.

“In last year’s final, I think the occasion got to us and for most of the players that was the first time Watsonians they had been in the final. We said at half time the things we had to sort and I’m delighted that we managed to do it this year.”

FULL-TIME: Hillhead Jordanhill 17-21 Watsonians

Hillhead Jordanhill: Lucy Mills, Hannah McHugh, Hannah Smith, Amy Watkins, Emma Barlow, Philippine Mais, Mairi McDonald, Heather McDonald, Stella Kyalikunda, Rachel Kerr, Felicity Syfret, Juliet Ross, Jemma Forsyth, Hannah Telling, Louise McMillan (Captain), Francesca Wood, Aimee Johnstone, Kendal King, Erin Davie, Abi Evans, Bex Francis, Amanda Moore.

Watsonians: Emma Evans, Charlotte Runcie, Megan Gaffney, Abbie Baillie, Bryony Nelson, Nicola Nightingale (Captain), Hannah Davisson, Ailie Tucker, Lana Skeldon, Molly Wright, Sarah Jones, Rachel Bragg, Panashe Muzambe, Emily Armstrong, Alice King, Megan MacIver, Libby McCue, Celine Thery, Emily Cotterill, Emma Jones, Isla Craig, Chloe McCue.