Glasgow Caledonian University 48 – Queen Margaret University 46
GCU got off to a good start with some steady handling skills as they made up good ground on their opponents. QMU made a break about ten minutes in and slipped past a couple of soft tackles to score. QMU were playing their second game of the season whereas GCU were on their first, and this perhaps showed early on as another try by QMU followed.
Good rugby from both teams followed, with some entertaining passing and rucking with GCU rewarded for their continued effort by scoring the next try. What followed was a battle for the try line with scores going back and forth for the rest of the half as GCU trailed 17-35 at half time.
In the second half, GCU clawed back the deficit with hooker Caoimhe O’Neill making a spectacular conversion from one of Rosie Broadhurst’s six tries, while rookie Ellie Simpson put herself on the line twice in the same phase of play to prevent QMU from scoring.
During the last ten minutes of the match, GCU were ahead 45-41, but QMU exploited the defence to make it 45-46. With only minutes left on the clock, QMU, so far unbeaten this season, wanted to keep a clean sheet as GCU were desperate to start the season with a win.
A breakdown in play in the dying seconds resulted in GCU being awarded a penalty. Co-captain Catriona Gallagher stepped up to take the kick as the Wolves started the season with victory.
