Edinburgh rally late as Clovers win in the capital
2 Mar 2026Edinburgh Rugby Women showed a never-say-die attitude on Saturday afternoon, battling until the final whistle to secure a try-scoring bonus point in a 26-43 defeat to the Clovers
The afternoon started perfectly for the hosts. Dominating an early set-piece, Edinburgh’s pack provided the perfect platform for number 8 Cat Moody to pick from the base of a well-positioned scrum and power through the defence to open the scoring. Nicole Marlow’s successful conversion gave Edinburgh an early 7-0 lead and settle any pre-match nerves.
While the Clovers responded strongly with scores from Beibhinn Parsons, Beth Buttimer, and captain Ruth Campbell to take a 7-19 lead, Edinburgh struck back with a moment of pure magic.
Making her full debut, 18-year-old full-back Bethan Mathieson finished off a free-flowing team move. Centre Hannah Ramsay ignited the attack with a beautifully lofted pass to captain Hannah Walker, who showed her trademark pace to burn past her opposite defender.
Mathieson was perfectly positioned on Walker’s shoulder to collect the pass and race in, sparking emotional celebrations as she was mobbed by her teammates.
The Clovers extended their advantage after the break through Eilis Cahill, Anna McGann, Aoibheann McGrath, and a second from Buttimer, but the scoreboard failed to dampen Edinburgh’s resolve.
The home side rallied late with two tries that showcased their resolve. First, Hannah Walker broke from deep and found replacement Scarlett Haddow on her shoulder; Haddow showed incredible wheels to outpace the cover defence from 60 metres out.
The drama peaked in the dying moments as Edinburgh fought their way into the Clovers’ 22. After Nicole Marlow and Hannah Ramsay combined to bring the team within inches of the line, Pip Benson recycled the ball with speed.
Lock Adelle Ferrie proved far too strong to stop from close range, crashing over with the final play of the game to secure the fourth try and a hard-earned bonus point.
That late surge provides the perfect springboard for Edinburgh as they prepare for their season finale. The squad now travels to Scotstoun this Friday night to take on rivals Glasgow Warriors in a highly anticipated Celtic intercity derby (6 March, kick-off 7.30pm).
