A first win for Glasgow Warriors women’s team would be the perfect way to sign off at Scotstoun this weekend, according to teenage back-row Holland Bogan.
The forward has been a mainstay of Chris Laidlaw’s side throughout the campaign, either in the back-row or at lock.
Laidlaw's side remain without a win, but Bogan hopes to end that in their final home match of the season at Scotstoun against Welsh outfit Brython Thunder on Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who first picked up a rugby ball while a pupil at Eastwood High School in Newton Mearns, said the campaign has been a steep learning curve for everyone.
She said: “I've really enjoyed my experience with Glasgow Warriors and obviously it’s coming to an end, so getting that win would end it on a high.”
Bogan said the winless run has dented the players’ confidence, and knows they need to put in a complete 80-minute performance to earn their first points of the Celtic Challenge.
She said: “It’s really hard because we know we can do it, we just don’t get started until 20 minutes in or at half-time.
“We’ve been having these conversations every week. It’s frustrating when we work so hard at training, and on the pitch.
“The emotional side of rugby is definitely tough. You’re getting beat up on the pitch but you are also getting emotionally drained. It is taxing but we all know that win is not going to come easy.
“I’m hoping it’s this weekend. It’s going to be a good crowd.”
There is likely to be a bump in the Scotstoun attendance with the match forming part of a double header, with the men’s side facing Dragons in the evening.
READ MORE: Glasgow's Ross Thompson focused on 'huge' Dragons clash
The teenage back-row praised the Glasgow fans for the support they’ve shown to the club’s inaugural women’s team.
“The crowd is like no other. At Scotstoun every time someone makes a slight break or a big tackle, you can really hear it from the crowd - we’ve gone away and it’s not the same. We’ve got the best support and it gives you such confidence.”
Bogan’s sporting journey could all have been so different too.
She was a footballer at school until one evening spotting rugby training and deciding to try her hand at something new.
She said: “I was playing football but they were playing rugby as well. I used to live in the Netherlands, and football was big, but I was bad at it. I thought rugby looked way more fun and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Her first forays in the club scene came at Cartha Queen’s Park before a move to Stirling County, where she won the Premiership title last season.
The experience of playing in the Celtic Challenge has spurred Bogan on to bigger things. She said playing alongside Scotland international Louise McMillan has also given her plenty of food for thought.
McMillan, who has 48 Test caps, was released by Saracens to play for Glasgow in a couple of their early matches.
Bogan said: “She plays in my position and it shows the level I need to be at to get where she is.
“She’s very physical in her game and I’ve learned a lot from her. You want to learn from the best so it’s been a great experience having her in camp.
“It was great to watch her play and see how she navigates her way around the pitch.”
While she might have plans on emulating McMillan’s international career in the long-term, for now the teenager is focused only on helping Glasgow to a maiden Celtic Challenge victory.
She added: “It would mean the world to us all. We’ve worked so hard and it would prove that the hard work does pay off.”
Read the rules here