Despite near-freezing temperatures in Countesswells, Aberdeen University Women’s Rugby Club (AUWRC) were out in full force for a tasty BUCS tier two fixture against local rivals RGU. The girls have had a mixed start to the season, without a win in the university leagues but sitting second in the North Caledonian League 3. The chilly fixture against the fellow Granite City side provided the perfect opportunity to kickstart their season, with matches against RGU always tightly contested.
RGU got the match underway and looked to immediately threaten the AUWRC backline, with their quick and nimble forwards. AUWRC defended well, making a successful tackle on the line to prevent an early try.
The deadlock would be broken in the 9th minute, with RGU breaking clear of the AUWRC defence with clever passing and pace. The following conversion fell short, leaving RGU with a 5-0 lead. RGU’s second try and first conversion came in the 17th minute, extending their lead to 13-0.
AUWRC managed a foray up the park thanks to a commanding run from Ruby Walsh Kirk, but this attack was thwarted by the disciplined RGU defence, who prevented any chance of an AUWRC try in the first half. The clinical home side managed one more try in the first half, with the teams coming in at 18-0 to RGU.
The half-time team talk reinvigorated AUWRC, who looked more confident and dangerous with the ball. Despite RGU grabbing another try and conversion, AUWRC looked like grabbing their first points and did so on the hour mark. Jenna Quinn picked up the ball from the middle of the pitch and drove forward, dodging numerous tackles and almost making it to the try line before being fouled. Holly Clark picked up the stray ball and dived over the line, giving AUWRC their first points.
Moments later AUWRC managed another try, this time when Evie Smith broke clear of the RGU backline and managed to place her try right under the posts. Captain Ella Drummond precisely chipped the ball between the uprights, bringing the score to 26-12. RGU crushed any hopes of a comeback with two late tries, with the fixture ending 36-12.
Before everyone ran back to the clubhouse for some much-needed heat, I caught up with President Anastasija Gorlanova and Vice-President Lottie Brown. I first asked Lottie for an assessment of the game.
‘It’s a shame the score didn’t reflect the effort of our girls, but we always work well as a team and display good sportsmanship after the match. Everyone feels good, which is the main thing, and we feel motivated to keep going.’
‘RGU is a very fun team to play,’ Anastasija added. ‘We are always evenly matched so coming into this game we didn’t know who would win’.
I asked them what the club’s expectations were in 2025.
‘Firstly, our goal is to avoid relegation!’ Lottie exclaimed. ‘We have a lot of home games next semester, so we’ll look to improve. We also look forward to playing RGU again in the Granite City Challenge’.
Anastasija and Lottie closed with how women’s rugby has improved over recent years.
‘It’s been nice to see the growing number of girls involved in rugby within Aberdeen, both for us and RGU. Almost too many girls are keen to play sometimes! With women’s rugby being included in the most recent Olympics, more girls are excited to be involved, which is great to see in a male-dominated sport.’