The Scottish Cougars made it two wins from two in the fiercely contested Regional Series encounter at Murrayfield today (Sunday 13 September).

The Series, which sees the Scotland and Scotland development squads split into two teams (the Cougars and the Lions), provides the country’s top performance players with the opportunity to play at more competitive level, by bridging the gap between club and international rugby while doubling as an opportunity for the national selectors to review the players.

The Lions, hindered by the early loss of two senior players – Laura Steven and Ronnie Fitzpatrick – struggled against an aggressive, speedy and well organised Cougars side.

However, despite spending large periods of play in Lions’ territory, it took the Cougars almost the entirety of the first-half to break the deadlock – the score coming from inside-centre, Annabel Sergeant, who crashed over for an unconverted try on the far side touch line.

First half: 0-5

The Cougars continued to pressure in the second-half however after almost an hour of dogged Lions defending lock Louise Moffat spotted a gap at the side of the ruck five metres from the try line and ran through for the score, 0-10.

Two minutes later it was the turn of the backs to register an account for their efforts as stand-off tanya Griffiths put winger Katy Green through a gap in midfield to run in a try superbly from half-way.

It was then the turn of impressive Academy graduate Celia Hawthorn who, from a scrum, showed good speed and strength to the make the most of an unmarshaled blind-side to score while keeping her opposite number out of reach with a good stiff arm, 0-20

Despite suffering three tries in quick succession the Lions refused to allow the game to collapse as a contest and battled on against extended periods of Cougars possession though, as is often the case with sterling defensive efforts, the Cougars ran in two late tries from Green and number 8 Donna Kennedy to end the game.

Tanya Griffith added the extras to the Kennedy try to the sound of the final whistle.

Final score: 0-32

National Performance development manager, Jo Hull, said: "It is excellent to see players that have started to come through the performance pathway – players such as Gemma Forsyth and Lisa Martin who are now being tested at a senior level against some of Scotland’s best players.

"The focus for these young players is to develop over the next four to five years, with the overall aim of competing in the 2014 RWC.

"The Regional Series games are extremely competitive , and I am sure that all of the players will benefit from bridging the gap between club rugby and international rugby in preparation for the 2010 RWC." 

The win means that the Cougars are now 2-0 up in the Series (having won the previous match 12-5). They have the chance to make it 3-0 in the third and final Regional Series fixture at Murrayfield on Sunday 10 October at Murayfield (kick-off tbc). Admission is free.