Wigtownshire Ladies 36 – 0 West of Scotland Ladies
Sunday 26th October, London Road, Stranraer

Wigtownshire Ladies roared back to the top of the table in style on Sunday afternoon with a commanding 36–0 victory over West of Scotland at a windswept London Road. After two disappointing performances on the road, Shire produced their most complete display of the season, dismantling a strong West side who had arrived fully loaded and intent on keeping their place at the summit.

For the hosts, the equation was simple — only a bonus point win, while preventing West from taking anything from the game, would be enough to reclaim first place. That clarity of purpose was evident from the first whistle as Shire burst out of the blocks and never looked back.

The improvements from the previous weeks were obvious. Coaches McMaster and Irvine had put the squad through an intense week of preparation, and the payoff was immediate. Shire’s organisation, aggression, and discipline were on full display, leaving West looking shell-shocked and unable to cope with the relentless pressure.

The tone was set early when Niamh Wilson crashed over for the opening try, making it 5–0. Moments later, Amy Vance continued her superb form from the back of the scrum to power over, extending the lead to 10–0. Sophie Hall added the extras for 12–0.

Shire were ruthless in possession and dominant in defence, with every tackle driving West further back. The momentum never dipped, and when Vance grabbed her second try of the afternoon, followed by a typically determined score from Sophie Mann, Shire were in total control at 22–0. Hall’s conversion made it 24–0 at the break — a first-half performance that encapsulated everything the coaches had demanded.

The second half saw more of the same intensity. Wilson bagged her second try to make it 29–0 before Hannah Owen crashed over to seal the victory. Hall slotted the final conversion to make it 36–0, rounding off a complete performance from the home side.

What stood out most was the collective effort — every player took responsibility for their own and the team’s performance, and it showed. While the team as a whole shone, a few individuals caught the eye.

Amy Vance was outstanding at number 8, epitomising how the role should be played — powerful in contact, intelligent around the breakdown, and ever-present in both defence and attack. Lydia Downie was another standout, dominant with ball in hand and impossible for West to contain. Her efforts earned her the Opposition Player of the Match award.

Niamh Wilson, back on her preferred wing, looked confident and dangerous, showing a maturity in attack that made a real difference. But the day belonged to Shonagh Milven, who marked her 50th appearance for the club with a Player of the Match performance that embodied everything about Wigtownshire’s spirit. Tireless at the breakdown, fearless in defence, and dynamic in attack, she led by example throughout.

This was a statement win — one built on hard work, accountability, and a refusal to accept anything less than excellence. The victory not only returns Shire to the top of the league but also sends a clear message to the rest of the competition: they are back to their best.

Next week, the Shire Ladies travel to Greenock knowing that another bonus point win is essential to keep the pressure on. If they bring the same intensity and teamwork shown here, they’ll take some stopping.