It was a mixed weekend for Stirling County’s top men’s and women’s sides as they both wind down towards the end of their seasons.
For the women’s first XV, they finished off the final match of their Premiership season under the Bridgehaugh lights and the BBC Alba cameras with a home clash with bottom club Stewatry.
County turned on the style by running in 17 tries in a 107-0 romp, with Sky Phimister scoring four times, three tries each for Ceitidh Ainsworth and Fi Keys.
There were also braces for Heather Davis and Rachel Cox, with more scores from Sophie Murphy, Brogan Henderson and Paige Aitken-Robinson – the points were finished off with nine Ainsworth conversions and two more from Cox.
That win meant the women had a nervous wait for the match between leaders Corstorphine – who had already secured their spot in the final – and Watsonians at Myreside.
Watsonians got out to an early lead but Corstorphine came back to secure a 21-15 win which means that despite Watsonians having a game in hand next week to finish off, they cannot overtake County and move into the final.
County head coach Mark Ainsworth – who will now prepare his side for a trip to Union Park on December 14 for the final – said: “As the score suggests it was an emphatic victory against Stewartry under the lights on Friday night.
“I was pleased that we achieved our record score in very difficult conditions and was impressed with the way that the team continued to play to the structure that we practice week in week out and with the level of intensity that we will need in two weeks time against Cougars.
“It’s been a bit of a circuitous route to the final with some dazzling record -breaking displays and also some big disappointments. The aim at the start of the season is to finish in the top two to make the final, and we have now done that.
“The final which will be screened live on BBC Alba will be played at a venue chosen by Corstorphine Cougars who finished at the top of the league.
“We will approach the final full of confidence and should have almost a full squad to select from. Last year we also finished second in the regular season and had to travel to Watsonians where we beat them in a thrilling final.
“Both Corstorphine and ourselves are full of quality players and I anticipate a tight game played with huge physicality and great skill.”
But there was disappointment for the men’s first XV as they slipped to a 28-24 defeat at Glasgow Accies.
The result means that third-placed Accies have cut the gap to County to just six points in National One, with County facing a stiff test this weekend with unbeaten top dogs GHA making the trip to Bridgehaugh.