Having completed their 12 match campaign with a record of 10 wins and only two defeats, one of which a technicality on player safety grounds, the Broughton side head into their forthcoming National Shield group stages with enthusiasm rippling through the Wardie clubhouse.

It’s the team’s best league placing since narrowly missing out on promotion to Premier 1 in 2012-13, having won National 1 the season previously.

Broughton were delighted to see no fewer than 36 players pull on the coveted colours during the season with several making their debuts throughout.

One of these new recruits has taken the scoring leaderboard by storm. Rebecca Bestwick may have tested the water on the road with a solitary try in the victory over Dundee Valrykies however it was her EIGHT try haul against Strathmore at Wardie that has cemented her place at the top of the scoring charts with 80 points in just 6 games.

Hot on her heels is flying winder Erika Gladwin who reaches a half century with 10 tries whilst Vicki Anderson’s trusty feet have kicked 23 conversions and one penalty.

With 16 different try scorers breaching the whitewash 57 times between them, Coaching duo of Libby McCue and Lorna Murdoch have witnessed a team record of surpassing the 400 points mark for the very first time in the League.

The team also recorded a new team record away win following a 0-65 victory under the watchful eyes of the Kelpies at Grangemouth.

There’s been representative honours for Erika Gladwin and Helen Lyon with the Scottish Police Women, whilst Alex Laidlaw was on International duty for Luxembourg 7s ahead of the domestic kick-off at Fortress Wardie.

Meanwhile, following an update of the stats since the team’s formation in 2009, the Club were delighted to record their gratitude towards Morven Murray-Forsyth and Nicky Gaskell as they both reached triple figures by way of appearances for Broughton. A tremendous achievement by a pair of loyal stalwarts.

Lorna Murdoch became the 14th half centurion with potential additions to that prestigious grouping on the cards with the National Shield on the horizon.

The Road to Murrayfield kicks off at home on Sunday 4th February against Wigtownshire (2pm KO). The sides met this time last year in the Shield competition, Broughton running out 42-29 winners. Both teams will come into the game after some time on the winter side lines though, Broughton’s last outing on the 26th November whilst the visitors put their kit in hibernation the week previous.

A fortnight later Broughton head to old friends Annan. A betting man would give you poor odds on a dry day for rugby as each of the three visits to Violetbank has left everyone wetter than an otter’s pocket in the process!

Fast forward to 10th March and an away day to Fife. It’ll be the first meeting between Broughton and Dunfermline with the home side having had a tremendous domestic campaign, only losing once across a disrupted season.

Then it’s back home to complete the Group stage when Cartha Queen’s Park 2s come to the capital. Broughton will be keen to avenge the loss in the Shield last time out and finish the quartet of games on a high.