Lochaber RFC 27
Turriff RFC 49
Caledonia North 3
Saturday afternoon saw the Lochaber ladies take to the pitch for their first competitive match at Banavie, or anywhere else, for more than 20 years.
Cheered on by a supportive crowd, the hosts went into the first half in high spirits.
The first try went to Turriff but the Lochaber ladies were quick to reply with Mairi Duncan scoring the next.
Lochaber continued to match Turriff try for try through the first half, with stunning
runs and touch downs from Emily Brown and Maddie Lagorio. Brown’s try was followed by a conversion.
Lochaber demonstrated their skill in the lineouts with hooker Ailsa McAleer demonstrating her throwing skills after playing for the last Lochaber women’s team 20 plus years ago.
Good team-work and excellent hands saw the half-time score sitting at 17-19.
The second half saw Melissa Cardosi become Lochaber’s top scorer of the match after two lightning fast runs to the line.
Unfortunately for Lochaber, the visitors gained momentum in the second half, scoring six tries to take them to a 27-49 victory.
Despite the scoreboard, spirits were high on the field as the two teams shook hands with everyone saying how much fun the match been had.
Lochaber RFC is already looking forward to their next match on October 21 away to Aberdeen University and can’t wait to have Turriff back for another 80 minutes of excellent rugby.
Forwards: Ali Tait; Ailsa McAleer; Dale Thomson; Maddie Lagorio, captain; Katie Booth and Kirsty Campbell. Backs: Mairi Duncan; Esther Cochrane; Emily Brown; Melissa Cardosi and Tyra Scally.
If you would like to have a go at rugby, look out for details of training on Lochaber RFC’s social media.
If you would rather cheer the team on from the sidelines, go along to their next match and show your support.
Featured image: Attacks from all sides were needed to bring down this Turriff player. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F42_Rugby_Lochaber v Turriff 01