Edinburgh 28-12 Glasgow Warriors

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 30: Warriors Ailie Tucker celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors at the Hive Stadium, on December 30, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Simon Wootton / SNS Group)

Though they lost out to the capital side, 28-12, a historical moment was marked for the club with the first 23 women’s players earning Glasgow Warriors caps.

It was an extra special day for Scotland cap and lock Louise McMillan and prop Ailie Tucker who became the first-ever Glasgow Warriors Women’s try scorers.

The home side started their Celtic Challenge campaign claiming a bonus point win against a dogged Warriors side.

Edinburgh took first blood, with Edinburgh University winger Cieron Bell storming over after centre Rachel Philipps had offloaded to Nicole Marlow to create space for the flying winger.

Marlow, starting at fullback, converted the score – her first of four in a perfect afternoon from the tee.

The home side doubled the advantage shortly after; the excellent Sarah Denholm, captaining the side, chipped through to the onrushing Briar McNamara, the centre powering away to get the try.

Glasgow hit back to cut the deficit, with Scotland Internationalist Louise McMillan proving too strong, crashing over from close range. The conversion attempt drifted wide, with Edinburgh holding onto a two-score lead.

The advantage was extended shortly after, this time with the forwards doing the hard yards. Attacking the Glasgow line phase after phase, the capital side finally made the pressure pay, with loosehead prop Poppy Fletcher providing the finishing touch.

The home side had a healthy advantage at the break, and the game entered a cagey period in the first 20 of the second half, with both sides putting in physical hits on one another, but failing to gain momentum.

Cieron Bell saw yellow for a high shot, however the home side weathered the storm to keep the score at 21-5. Eventually though, the pressure told, with Glasgow’s Ailie Tucker scoring from close range to draw the Warriors closer.

The final say came from Edinburgh, however, with Denholm again turning provider for McNamara. A flat pass put the inside centre into space, and there was no stopping the Watsonians star. It was a masterful display from McNamara, with two tries earning her the player of the match.

Edinburgh managed to close out the match, claiming an historic win against their intercity rivals from the West.