Head Coach
Hope Whitelaw
We welcome new players of all standards throughout the season including players who have never touched a rugby ball before! If you are new to rugby or even an experienced player and you wish to get involved or find out more information, simply turn up to a training session or get in touch!
Training
Wednesday 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the North Inch
Get in contact with our Team Manager Zoe Fummey (managerwomen@perthshire-rfc.co.uk) or just turn up.
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Saturday 1st April 2023
NO APRIL FOOLS, SEMI-FINALS HERE WE COME!!
Perthshire Women 31 – 17 Stornoway
The Perthshire Women’s team played Stornoway on Saturday 1st April. The game kicked off at 2.15pm on the North Inch pitch, the weather being slightly chilly but perfect for a great game of rugby.
Stornoway started off strong putting pressure on Perthshire straight away. The first 10 minutes of the game was all within Perthshire’s half. Strong carries from the Stornoway forwards and great movement of the ball brought some early chances for them, but it was the defensive efforts from key players such as Claire Rae, Suzanne Rennie and Rebecca Bond, that kept Stornoway from scoring. Some brilliant tackling pushed Stornoway back to half way but still with possession they looked very strong. However, Perthshire’s patience paid off when Alex Ward intercepted the ball at pace, running down to within the 22. This spurred on Perthshire, and after a few passes and recycling of the ball, Alex Ward went over for the first try 14 minutes into the game, converting her own kick making the score 7-0.
This didn’t dishearten the visitors though, who again put great pressure on Perthshire in their own half. Knock-on’s from both sides saw the scrums being put to work, both teams putting in great efforts, the growls from the Perthshire squad pushing forward to get the upper hand. After a few scrums from both sides and some static play within the middle of the field, Alex Ward’s fancy footwork managed to find a gap and again Perthshire were running towards the try line. An unfortunate knock on just a couple of metres out meant Stornoway had the ball at the scrum. Strong defensive work again, Perthshire regained possession and Paula Watson’s passing put Alex Ward over for her second. The try successfully converted, score to 14-0 at 28 minutes.
A lovely chip kick from Alex Ward saw Jackie McConville have a nice run on to the ball, but Stornoway’s defensive work and pressure took back possession. Stornoway came back into Perthshire’s half with wave after wave of strong running from their forwards. Perthshire’s ill-discipline allowed for a few penalties to help Stornoway’s momentum, and just before half time the visitors scored in the corner. A good effort by the kicker however it was not converted. Halftime score 14-5 to Perthshire.
The second half saw some replacements from Perthshire including Danni Henderson, who instantly made an impact. A great scrum from Perthshire combined with great passing saw Danni go over to score a try 3 minutes into the second half. A great effort by Alex Ward again, but this time not converted, 19-5 at 43 minutes.
Stornoway came back though, with some great running from their forwards and work from their scrum half, putting pressure on Perthshire for a long time in the 22. Perthshire regained possession a couple of times, but were unable to get out of their half because of good defensive work and solid play from Stornoway. Some interlinking play between wingers and fullback saw a decent second try from Stornoway under the posts. This time the conversion was successful and the score line was close at 19-12.
Stornoway now seeing the possibility of bringing the scores level, had a bit between their teeth and were fighting with everything they had. Again, they kept pressure in the Perthshire 22 for a long time, but Perthshire’s discipline had improved, regaining possession at a crucial time. A clearing kick from Alex Ward chased expertly by Danni Henderson and Katie Whelan put pressure on Stornoway who knocked it on. After another dominate scrum, Paula Watson took the ball from the back of the scrum, with a beautiful pass to the already at pace Alex Ward, her speed and weaving, along with a great support line from Heather Kirkman that kept the defence guessing, meant it was near impossible to stop. Alex Ward scores her hattrick and the conversion is good. Score 26-12.
With 12 minutes to go, tired bodies on both sides but both teams very much still in the game. A few knock-ons again saw the game slow just slightly. Perthshire seemed to get a spark all of a sudden, as their forwards took crash ball after crash ball breaking the gain line over and over again. Strong carries from Sarah Blackwood, Becky Hunter and Fiona Gordon seem to put Perthshire on the front foot once again. This play brought defensive effort from Stornoway to a central position on the field, seeing this the backs shouted for the ball and got it wide, breaking up the field for some fast running. Alex Ward went over for her 4th try of the day under the posts. Stornoway put on a lot of pressure and noise as she attempted to score the conversion, which put her off just enough. Score 31-12.
The visitors had a fantastic game and finished it off with a try at very last minute. Some great passing to the wide channels, scoring in the corner. Final score Perthshire 31-17 Stornoway.
Perthshire Women are now through to the National Bowl Semi-finals to be played on 23rd April, having won 2 out of their 3 bowl matches. A fantastic team effort lead by amazing co-captains Heather McKenzie and Alex Ward, along with coach/player Iona Coutts.
Photos taken by Dave Morgan Pix (dmpix.net)
Previous News
Sunday 26th March 2023: Seventh Heaven for Perthshire
Perthshire Women 45 – 14 Bannockburn Valkyries
Women grow into game to deliver dominant 7-try victory.
Perthshire Women 1st XV hosted Bannockburn Valkyries on the North Inch for their second fixture in the National Bowl. ‘Shire kicked to start and showed strong determination from the off. An unfortunate knock on from the home team saw Bannockburn awarded an early scrum. ‘Shire made a bold statement by contesting this first set piece strongly and winning the ball, which was soon passed wide to winger Jackie McConville who ran it all the way to the corner to score an early first try for Perthshire.
Co-captain Heather McKenzie caught the ball from the Bannockburn restart and made great progress into the opposition’s half. After a few phases the ball found its way back to McKenzie who ran it between the posts and scored the second try for ‘Shire. The home team really started to gain momentum, making excellent carries and finding gaps. Perthshire’s other co-captain, Alex Ward, used her excellent footwork to find her way past multiple Bannockburn defenders twice in quick succession to put another two tries on the board.
Bannockburn upped their strong attacking efforts and shortly before half time found a gap near the wing and accelerated through to score their first try of the match, which they converted. With Ward converting three of Perthshire’s four tries it saw them sitting on a comfortable lead of 26 – 7 going into half time.
Coach Iona Coutts praised the ‘Shire ladies for their excellent efforts in the first half, but warned them not to relax as the game was not yet won. She knew that Bannockburn would be looking to keep up the momentum they had shown towards the end of the first half and didn’t want the home team to be caught out
.
Perthshire kept this in mind as they put every effort into keeping a strong defence in the second half. They took the opportunity to shift the momentum to attacking and Heather McKenzie added another try for ‘Shire. Bannockburn continued to push strongly in their attack and were quick to spot any gaps in the ‘Shire defence – giving them their second converted try of the match in a very similar style to their first.
Keen to ensure that Bannockburn didn’t continue to add to their tally, ‘Shire worked hard and the forwards made a series of strong carries down the pitch towards the line. After several phases within 5 metres of the line, it was Perthshire’s second rower Katie Bromley who carried the ball over the line and scored her first try for the ‘Shire.
With the time close to the 80 minute mark, ‘Shire were awarded a line out within Bannockburn’s 22. They smoothly passed the ball through the hands to fullback Eilidh Patterson who scored the last try of the match. Alex Ward was left with a difficult angle but kicked an excellent conversion – giving a fitting end to an impressive game from the Perthshire ladies. They took the win 45 – 14 and will be recovering this week before hosting Stornoway on Saturday 1st April, kick-off 2pm at the North Inch. Supporters welcome to come down and cheer on the Women.
Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.
Sunday 5th March 2023: Fast paced and furious
Highland 67 – 24 Perthshire
Perthshire Ladies took a trip up to Canal Park to take on Highland women in the Shire’s first fixture of this year’s National Bowl competition. After a friendly against Highland ladies in January – the Shire knew they were coming up against a fast paced team, but they had been instructed to play their own game and put all of the hard work shown in training into practice on the field.
Highland took advantage of a scrum awarded in their favour to score a try within the first few minutes. Another score for Highland came shortly after the restart when they quickly got the ball wide from their line out. One conversion from two tries took the score to 12 – 0 early on.
A Highland knock on after the restart gave Shire a scrum 10m into the opposition’s half. Shire’s scrum half Anna Davies did an excellent job to keep the ball secure as three Highland players were on her before she had the chance to pass the ball away. After a few phases Highland managed a quick pass intercept but couldn’t break through a solid Shire defence this time. Perthshire were soon awarded a penalty which they chose to kick into touch- which was found nicely on the 22 line.
This looked like Shire’s first strong opportunity to score but unfortunately the ball couldn’t quite be secured and Highland managed to rip the ball. An excellent kick from their own half travelled forward with each bounce well into the Shire’s half. Winger Katie Whelan showed impressive speed to chase it down and kick it back. Shire didn’t have the same luck of the bounce and it went straight into the hands of a Highlands player who ran it straight between the posts, giving Highland a straightforward conversion.
The Highland ladies got the ball out wide quickly from the restart but appeared to knock the ball on. Much to Perthshire’s shock it wasn’t called and the slight hesitation meant Highland’s 13 had a fairly simple run towards the posts – which led to another simple conversion. Even with the home team leading 26 – 0, the Perthshire ladies kept their heads up and forced a Highland knock on resulting in a Perthshire scrum. Shire’s 8, Heather McKenzie, did an impressive pick and go to carry the ball through most of the opposition’s half. After several phases in front of the try line the Highland’s were awarded a penalty. They used this quickly and made ground very rapidly into the Shire’s half. It looked like a certain try until fullback Eilidh Paterson made an incredible tackle and the ball found its way back into Shire’s possession. After a few passes it was knocked on and Highland had a penalty very close to the try line. They used this opportunity to put the ball down in the corner, but weren’t able to convert from a very difficult angle.
Impressive pressure and tackling at the restart from Shire’s 12, Alex Ward, caused Highland to knock on and gave Shire the penalty in the opposition’s half. The ball was passed out wide quickly before a nifty pass back inside allowed Heather McKenzie to push through and get Shire’s first points on the board. This was converted by Eilidh Patterson and put the score at 31 – 7.
Our fly- half Paula Watson caught the ball from the restart and made serious ground into the Highland’s half before being tackled. Highland were quick to jackal the ball and were soon awarded a penalty from a collapsed maul. They kicked for touch, achieving it bang on the 22 line. Excellent line out pressure from the Shire’s jumper, Katie Bromley, caused fumbling of the ball by Highland but they regained composure quickly to find a gap and score another converted try. The restart was caught by Highland’s 8 who showed incredible pace and footwork to find gaps between the Shire’s defence and score again. Another conversion left the scoreline 45 – 7 going into half time.
Iona Coutts, the coach for Perthshire Ladies, gave a strong half time talk. She insisted on lower tackles and due to Highlands quick jackaling the ball needed to be kept secure going into contact and that anybody going into a ruck should always have support. The forwards were praised for their scrummaging, a set piece that Shire appeared to dominate throughout the match.
Alex Ward kicked off the second half and Shire were making some excellent tackles, but Highland’s 10 found a gap and got a try which was comfortably converted. Shire continued this strong form and were awarded a penalty scrum deep in their own half. Unfortunately the ball found its way into touch and Highland were awarded a line out within the Perthshire 22. They got the ball through the hands quickly and utilised their pace to score wide, which they were unable to convert.
A missed pass meant the ball found its way back into Shire’s possession after the restart and flanker Helen Ferry made an excellent run to take the ball over the halfway line. Her pressure on the Highland defence caused them to falter and give away a penalty. Heather McKenzie took the penalty as quickly as possible and passed out wide to Alex Ward who performed some incredible sidesteps and hand offs to rival Van Der Merve and got past several defenders to put it down between the posts. Unfortunately Shire weren’t able to convert but were feeling positive after such strong gameplay.
An unlucky knock on from the restart saw a scrum awarded to Highland from the restart. Due to some niggling injuries amongst the forwards, Shire’s coach made the decision to warm up quickly and substitute on as hooker. Iona showed her skill and experience as she hooked the ball from the home team and won the ball back into Shire’s possession. They worked hard to carry the ball into the home team’s half but an excellent steal from the Highland ladies was followed by several kicks down the field and another score. Highland used this momentum in the restart to get the ball out wide before cutting back in behind the defence and they added another to the tally. A conversion increased the score further to 67 – 12.
Iona Coutts shut down another Highland attack quickly, forcing a knock on and a Shire scrum in the opposition’s half. Another great run off the scrum from Heather McKenzie and excellently timed passes between her and Alex Ward saw them take the ball right to the line before Alex scored next to the post. The try was converted by Iona Coutts and saw the score at 67 – 19.
Highland faltered and knocked the ball forward on the halfway line to see Shire awarded a scrum. They got the ball out wide to Eilidh Patterson who scored near the corner. The try wasn’t converted but it was a strong finish from the Shire to give a finishing score of 67-24.
Their next National Bowl fixture where they will host Bannockburn on Sunday 26th March 2023.
Saturday 29th January 2022: Women are a masterpiece in Milngavie
Our women’s team had a fantastic first match of the year on Sunday when they travelled to Milngavie to take on the West of Scotland 2XV. This match marked a huge achievement for our women’s section as it was the first time they had a full 1XV! A huge thanks has to be given to the ladies from Aberfeldy RFC who kindly came along to team up with us. They achieved a 45 – 15 win for their efforts which everyone was delighted with. But, most importantly, there was excellent teamwork shown by all – demonstrating just how much hard work and determination they’ve put into their training and progression. Everyone is looking forward to working hard for our future fixtures and continuing to love rugby!
