National titles and international debuts for Stirling athletes

National golf titles and rugby international call-ups were some of the highlights for University of Stirling athletes this past weekend along with professional tennis final appearances and new football coaching appointments.

Here are the latest sporting headlines.

Golf

The University golf team won the Scottish Student Sport National Championship following a 5-5 draw with the University of St Andrews over the Jubilee Course. Michael Lawrie, son of former Open Champion, Paul, was the hero for Stirling as he came back to win four of his final six holes to secure victory in the last match of the day and claim the overall Championship. As well as the title, Lawrie’s impressive performance meant he preserved his 100% league win record and he, along with his teammates, now head into the British Universities knockout competition where they will look to add to their European and Scottish crowns.

Rugby

Stirling students Megan Kennedy and Siobhan Cattigan made their senior Scotland debuts against Wales in the first round of the Women’s Six Nations. Prop, Kennedy, and back-rower, Cattigan, who both play for Stirling County RFC, did themselves proud in a brave team performance which saw the Scots lose out 18-17 having fought back from being 13-0 down at the break.

Rugby players, Siobhan Cattigan (left) and Megan Kennedy (right), made their senior international debuts for Scotland against Wales in the first round of the Women's Six Nations.

Tennis

On the back of her British Tour victory last week, second-year Sports Studies student, Maia Lumsden, put together a string of impressive displays en route to the final of the Aegon GB Pro-Series $25k event at Scotstoun. Despite taking the first set, Lumsden unfortunately lost to Paula Badosa Gibert 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 in the final. In the men’s doubles event, Lumsden’s Stirling teammate, Scott Duncan, made it to the semi-final with partner Jonathan Binding before losing out to eventual winners Matthias Haim and Jakob Sude.

Maia Lumsden's good form continued as she made it to the final of the Aegon GB Pro-Series event at Scotstoun.

Football

The University of Stirling 1^st XI made the long journey south to Annan to take on Edusport Academy in the Scottish Lowland Football League and came away with a well-earned point after the match finished 0-0. Meanwhile the U20s squad enjoyed an excellent 4-3 win at home against Cumbernauld Colts.

Off the pitch, Barry Rodgers has been appointed as new Head Coach of the University’s High Performance Women’s Football Programme. Joining ahead of the new Scottish Women’s Premier League season, Rodgers brings a wealth of experience to the role having previously held roles in the at Glasgow City and Celtic.

Commenting on the students’ latest achievements, the University of Stirling’s Head of Performance Sport, David Bond, said: “It’s a great to be able to report success on a regular basis and it’s been another positive mix of news this week. We’re really pleased to see the golf team seal the Scottish title again and to have two students playing at the top level of international rugby is a brilliant reflection of the women’s programmes at the University and Stirling County RFC.

“Meanwhile, Maia’s form continues to be a leading light for our high performance programmes and Barry’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the women’s football squad as they prepare for the new season and BUCS knockout stages.”