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25/11/2025

The Rosyth Sharks Rugby Football Club team are sitting second in Caledonia Midlands Three after a 45-14 away win at Waid Academy.

The Sharks travelled to Anstruther on Saturday with three wins and two defeats under their belts in the seven-team division, but now have four wins after this showing against sixth placed Waid.

Mark Love, the Sharks coach who was on the bench too, said: “We got off to a slow start after a delayed kick-off, allowing Waid some early possession which put us under a bit of pressure and caused unforced errors.

“We did, however, manage to get some good passages of play going and got a score through Jamie Hance against the run of play. This allowed us to settle into the game and we got another two tries through Jamie as he got his first hat trick for the club.

“Mike Horn also got two tries after some good team play and the first half was finished with an interception with Findley Brand running the length of the park to score.

“In the second half we went down to 14 men early on with a team yellow card given to Mike Horn due to repeated penalties. We did put together some good play in the second half, but good Waid defence and again unforced errors by ourselves meant that we only got one more try through Stevie Somerville. In the game, Ryan Wallace kicked five conversions and it was a good win.”

* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Tuesday *

25/11/2025

The Perthshire Rugby 1st XV have now won nine of their 10 Caledonia One Midlands Conference games to lead the way at the top of the standings after a hard-fought 24-17 Courier Country derby win at Blairgowrie.

Games between these sides in recent years have been entertaining and this one at JJ Coupar Park on Saturday did not disappoint before the visitors came out on top against their fourth placed hosts.

Ollie Atkin, Ian Kerr (2) and Thomas Pounder scored tries for Perthshire as they secured a bonus point with Calum Bruce converting two of them.

Stand-off Bruce said: “It was, as expected, a very hard fought and physical game.

“We were a bit disappointed that we didn't see out the game more comfortably from 24-7 up as we let a couple of chances pass us by and let Blairgowrie back into it with silly penalties and a yellow card.

“But, ultimately, our defence was strong across the 80 minutes and we showed enough quality at key moments to secure the win and the bonus point.”

Blairgowrie took a losing bonus point from this one and their head coach Campbell Watson said: “It was a proper derby game from start to finish and it was a great display of club rugby at its best as both teams put everything into a fast flowing no holds barred encounter.

“Unfortunately, from our side we missed two conversions and a penalty midway through the second half which would have put us in with a real chance of winning the game, but there were lots of positives and hopefully this will be the kick start the players need to get back into winning ways soon after an excellent display for the most part.”

* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Tuesday *

25/11/2025

The Highland Rugby Football Club Eagles boys’ under-16 coach Morris Dillon says the ending to the team’s semi-final was “just amazing” as they scored a late converted try to make it through to the National Youth Shield final for their age group.

The nail biting 20-19 victory over a strong GHA side at home at Canal Park on Sunday in the last four means that they will be taking on West of Scotland in that final on the Murrayfield back pitches in Edinburgh on December 14. In their semi, West won 15-12 away at Dalziel on Sunday.

However, it was the Highland-GHA tie that was the focus in the north-east and the Inverness youngsters certainly did not disappoint as they were led well by skipper Harris Cawthorn.

And with GHA leading 19-13 it was William Magowan and Murray Dillon who were the Highland heroes.

With five minutes remaining, Magowan scored his second try of the match and Dillon converted to make it 20-19 to Highland and then they held on to spark celebrations.

Dillon also kicked two penalties and another conversion in the match.

After getting his breath back post-match, Morris Dillon, who coaches the team along with Dave Cawthorn, said: “I’ve played and coached a lot of games in my life, but never felt like that during or after a match, it was just amazing.

“We knew how challenging GHA would be, they’ve been the standard setters at our age group since under-14s and won National One at a canter this season.

“They also beat us 72-17 in the league down there earlier in the campaign and it was a humbling experience.

“However, this group of players have threatened to do something special his season. We felt it was coming and they delivered. We are just so proud of the standard of play in this match, but more so the commitment, grit and determination that they displayed.

“It was an outstanding defensive display and they’ll never forget that match as long as they live and neither will the coaches.”

Unfortunately, Highland’s under-18s will not be at finals day after they suffered a 55-5 defeat to a slick Ayr side in their Cup semi at Canal Park on Sunday.

* A version of this article first appeared in The Press and Journal on Tuesday *

25/11/2025

The Robert Gordon's College 1st XV rugby team are set to play on the main pitch at Murrayfield for the first time in 20 years after the current squad reached the final of the Scottish Schools boys’ under-18 Shield which will take place at the national stadium on December 10.

Last year the 2024-25 Robert Gordon’s under-18 team won the Plate event, but that final was played next door to Murrayfield at Hive Stadium. The last time an under-18 team from the school played at Murrayfield itself was in a 2005-06 when they lost a Cup final.

This year’s team made sure of being at finals day with a convincing 60-5 win over Linlithgow Academy on Saturday on the road in the Shield event semi-final.

Head coach of the team Rory Riddle said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the players.

“For me personally this marks my second year full-time with the college and my second year in charge of the 1st XV at the school.

“I take a great deal of pride in not just the results, but the performances. A large part of that for me is psychological, whether it’s tactical, technical or, more importantly, the willingness to fight for each other and to buy into a common goal and work hard to get there.

“That’s what I’ve tried to push hard over the past two seasons and the boys have continually bought in and done the work required and as a result they have reaped the rewards.

“The Plate final last year was a really special occasion personally with it being my first year in the job and we backed it up later in the year by winning the Caledonia Cup on home soil at Countesswells.

“The side has continued to grow and we have had some big results this year notably beating both Fettes College and Loretto away from home.

“The last time a Robert Gordon’s College under-18 side played on the main pitch at Murrayfield, none of the 1st XV playing on December 10 would have even been born so it is an unbelievable opportunity for these young players to write history for themselves as the quality individuals and team that they are, but to also inspire the next generation of rugby players coming through as we continually look to strengthen our programme at the school.

“The side are notably led by Glasgow Warriors under-18 ho**er James Roberts and I can’t wait to see them go out and make the school and the local community proud on a national stage once again.”

Robert Gordon’s will be taking on Dollar Academy in the Shield final after they beat Hutchesons’ Grammar School 41-21 in the other last four tie at the weekend.

* A version of this article first appeared in The Press and Journal on Tuesday *

25/11/2025

Via myself for RugbyPass, the Bristol Bears Women + Scottish Rugby playmaker Meryl Smith has opened up for the first time on the roller coaster of emotions that she has gone through since suffering an ACL injury 13 months ago...

Bristol Bears and Scotland playmaker Meryl Smith has opened up on the roller coaster of emotions that she has gone through since suffering an ACL injury 13 months ago.

24/11/2025

There were wins for Stirling County RFC Women, Watsonians Women’s Rugby + Hillhead Jordanhill Women RFC in the Arnold Clark Women's Premiership on Saturday - here's a round up of the action via The Offside Line...

📸 ST Photography

Top two set to meet each other next weekend in a dry-run of Grand Final on 13th December

24/11/2025

On Saturday, Howe of Fife RFC warmed up for a testing run of fixtures leading into the Christmas break by defeating Berwick 56-3 with a bonus point at Duffus Park in Arnold Clark National Two action.

Before the recent few weeks off, the Howe had toughed out a 26-24 away win at Kirkcaldy in a local derby at the end of October and they backed it up here in style against bottom side Berwick who are winless.

Howe of Fife are now sitting fifth in the standings ahead of hosting third placed Highland this coming weekend, travelling to eighth placed Peebles on December 6 and hosting leaders Newton Stewart on December 13.

Against Berwick, Kenni Gray led the way with a hat-trick of tries while James Stockwell, Kieran Todd, skipper Eden Cruickshank, Finlay Foulkes, Will Hodgkins and Inver Petrie all crossed and Ross Maitland kicked the rest of the points.

“It was an interesting game and it was pretty tough game for the first 30 minutes or so with both teams sort of feeling each other out in tough conditions,” Howe of Fife head coach Niall Lear said.

“We then built into a bit of a rhythm and Berwick struggled to deal with the pace and the tempo that we were trying to play at.

“All credit to Berwick, they never gave up and put a real shift in, but it was a really, really good performance from us and we definitely putting into play some of the learnings from the Kirkcaldy game.

“We are very aware that we've got a really tough run into Christmas, but we are working hard and playing well and a case of heads down and working hard and embracing the challenges. We've just got to keep building and we are in a good place.”

There was late heartbreak for Dundee Rugby in the same division as they pushed title chasing Newton Stewart hard on the road before losing out 29-24.

The visitors, who now sit seventh in the table, were 17-7 down at the break and by the 46th minute that was 24-7. The Dundee try by that point had come from Callum Nicol with Evan Taylor converting.

Cue the Dundee fightback with Ollie Stoops’ converted try and then unconverted efforts from Paul Ritch and Nicol again making it 24-24 after 63 minutes.

The game was in the balance and Dundee had momentum, but it was the home side who found the winning try with nine minutes to go when they scored a five-pointer.

Dundee took a bonus point from that one and ninth placed Kirkcaldy took one from their 42-33 loss at sixth placed Falkirk.

Cameron Pilmer scored two tries for Kirkcaldy while Steven Milne, Daniel Jennings and Callum Kennedy also scored and Pilmer kicked the rest of the points.

The weather got the better of Strathmore’s National Three clash at West of Scotland while, in National Four, Dunfermline lost out 55-12 at sixth placed Whitecraigs.

That result means that the McKane Park men are eighth in the standings.

* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Monday *

22/11/2025

Former Edinburgh Rugby academy member and ex-Scotland under-20 cap Robbie Deans is enjoying his time with Gordonian RFC and is looking forward to the Arnold Clark National One campaign resuming today.

With Gordonians second bottom in National One on 10 points and Jed-Forest bottom on eight points in the 10-team standings there is a massive game in the Borders this afternoon.

After a tough start to life in the division following promotion, Gordonians pushed Musselburgh very close and then defeated Gala in October so they will be looking to build on those two performances when they make the long trip to Riverside Park as the league takes centre stage again after a break.

“The Gala game went really well for us and showed what we can do when we get it right,” Deans, the 21-year-old loosehead prop who is vice-captain of the team along with Josh Andrew supporting Fin Lennox, said.

“We’ll be looking to build on this as we go into the second half of the season and hopefully pick up some more points. Obviously, it is a big game versus Jed this weekend, but I don’t think that changes much for us, every game has been a challenge so far and we just need to show what we can do like we did against Gala.”

Deans grew up in Dalkeith in Midlothian and played his rugby initially at Haddington and then at Merchiston Castle School.

While at Merchiston he began playing for Scotland under-20s and was a big part of that squad for a spell and also joined the Edinburgh Rugby academy after school and played Super6/Series rugby while training with the pro team.

“In the summer of 2024 I decided to come up to Aberdeen for university and I was looking for a club to play and train for to get some extra rugby in and I found Gordonians,” Deans, who is currently in his second year at Aberdeen University study medicine and also coaches rugby at Robert Gordon’s College, explained.

“Gordonians is a close-knit club and good fun to be a part of especially at this time as we are a very young team and looking to build on promotion last season and the good performances we have had at times so far this season.

“I also play uni rugby when I can and when I don’t have any placements or classes going on that clash with timings while being involved with the Caledonia Reds in the recent Inter-District Championship game was a lot of fun. It was a pleasure to get selected for the first game with a some of the guys that I’d played with before against a strong Glasgow and the West team and we battled for a good win.”

* A version of this article first appeared in The Press and Journal on Saturday *

22/11/2025

The Garioch Ladies RFC skipper Jodie Dalgarno is backed her charges to show composure and trust their game plan when they head to Glasgow today to take on Cartha Queens Park in an important Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership clash today.

With just two regular season fixtures left to play, Garioch are second bottom on 11 points and Cartha are bottom on 10 points in the bottom four of the eight-team league.

Whoever does finish eighth come November 29 will face a play-off round-robin against the regional league winners in the new year for the right to play in the top flight next season.

Garioch have spent large parts of the campaign at the bottom, but a recent win against Cartha at home at Kellands Park in Inverurie and then picking up two bonus points in a defeat to Biggar at the same venue has given them some momentum.

Dalgarno, the 34-year-old second-row, said: “Something I’ve learnt about this team is just how incredibly strong and resilient they really are. We have always faced an uphill battle and a challenge in this league and there is never a moment I doubt this team in their abilities to battle for those crucial wins and points.

“It’s a crucial game versus Cartha, we know what this means for us to win this weekend and it’s about finding that composure, trusting our game plan and utilising the skills we have to get into the game early and take that lead. Both teams will be bringing out the big guns this weekend and giving it everything so it will be an exciting game.

Dalgarno, who grew up in Aberdeen and who works for Altrad Sparrows as an onshore business manager, did not take up rugby until she was 26.

“Once I began playing, I played a numbers of years at Peterhead before I snapped my ACL in a bad tackle,” she explained.

“I had multiple surgeries and two years of rehab following that incident and genuinely thought my rugby days were over.

“During that time myself and my partner moved house to Ellon and became more local to Garioch as a club. I knew a few players at Garioch who had joined over the years and I decided to go down and see how it felt after my recovery.

“My partner Laura Milne had also decided to go along to Garioch so it all felt like the right time and move for us. And we are so happy we did, Garioch Rugby Club is the most welcoming club and it made the final stages of my ACL rehab and return to rugby so much easier. I don’t think I would have returned to rugby let alone play in the Premiership if I hadn’t found Garioch and had the support from the club that I have had.”

Meanwhile. Dalgarno is happy to see former Garioch players Aila Ronald and Megan Hyland in Scottish Rugby’s supported players group for 2025-26.

“It’s always great to see girls develop through the club and inspire the next generation and create a path for them to follow their lead in this part of the country,” she stated.

“I’m excited to see how they continue on their journeys and what’s next for them.”

* A version of this article first appeared in The Press and Journal on Saturday *

22/11/2025

Ross Maitland broke into the Howe of Fife RFC senior 1st XV last season when he was still at Bell Baxter High School and he is enjoying continuing his rugby journey with the club this term, admitting he is “buzzing” for today’s match with Berwick.

Now 18, stand-off Maitland could not have hoped for a better introduction to adult rugby with the team winning the Arnold Clark National Three tile in 2024-25.

So far in National Two, the Cupar outfit have won three out of four to sit sixth in the 10-team standings and, after a break of a few weeks, they are now keen to kick on after a 26-24 derby win away at Kirkcaldy on October 25.

Today they welcome bottom side Berwick to Duffus Park and Maitland, who is now in his first year at Glasgow University studying sports and exercise science, said: “Kirkcaldy was a big one for everyone, but especially for the boys in the team who played them last season in the National League Cup and lost.

“We knew it would be a game where we’d have to grind out a result and try play as much of our own style of rugby as possible. Everyone really dug deep and fronted up against them especially when we were trying to hold onto our lead in the latter stages of the game.

“Overall. It was a huge result which I think will hopefully kick us on as we head into the rest of the season.

“This weekend’s game versus Berwick is a huge game for the club as it is a big opportunity to get another win under our belts as we head towards Christmas.

“However, we know that although Berwick are bottom of the league they will come up here and put up a fight. We’ll focus primarily on ourselves making sure that come kick-off we’re in the right head space and condition to go out and get the five points we want.

“I think senior rugby is definitely a step up in physicality compared to schoolboy rugby so I’ve learnt that, although it may not be my favourite part of the game, at points I need to front up and do my bit in defence. I also think it’s more of a tactical battle at this level which I love.

“I have also learnt a lot about my personal game and areas in which I can improve in both attack and defence over the last 18 months.”

Maitland grew up on a farm just outside of Cupar in Grange of Lindores near Newburgh and started playing rugby in the Howe Minis aged eight.

“The club is only a 15-minute drive from my house and it is my closest rugby club so this was the main reason for joining at first and I have loved it ever since,” the teenage talent explained.

“It’s an exciting environment to be a part of and there is a very tight knit group of players at the club at the moment.

“The atmosphere around the club is brilliant and personally I’m buzzing to get back out onto the pitch this weekend.”

* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Saturday *

📸 Chris Reekie Photography

22/11/2025

A full schedule of fixtures also sees Biggar host Hillhead Jordanhill, Stirling County host Heriot's and Watsonians host Corstorphine Cougars

21/11/2025

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻, 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁!

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And so much more!

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