RBS Shield final: Dunfermline 11 - 9 Musselburgh: Dunfermline’s determination pays dividends

The Fifers’ defeat at home to Musselburgh in the National One league campaign went a long way to seeing the East Lothian side into the top two, while Dunfermline finished fourth. And, for almost an hour at Murrayfield on Saturday, it looked as though Musselburgh would prove too strong. However, a try by lock Tommy McColl in the 58th minute turned the game Dunfermline’s way and, once in front, they doggedly refused to let victory slip from their grasp.

Their openside flanker James Lawrie was voted Man of the Match and he insisted: “That was down to hard work and that’s testament to our season. We know fine well that, if we put hard work in as forwards, the backs will finish it off.

“There has been a buzz about the club and ,with Dunfermline’s name in the papers and the interest there has been, maybe that will bring people to the club, and, hopefully, it will build us up again and we can go on from this.”

With stand-off David O’Hagan kicking well from hand and at goal, Musselburgh took a 3-0 lead into the break and doubled it shortly afterwards. They should have been further ahead with the possession they won, hooker Rory Chesham and sub prop Neil McNairn prominent, centre Caine McIntyre a handful in attack and full-back Liam Draycott a rock in defence.

But, with the Dunfermline pack led well by the experienced engine-room duo of Steven “Sky” Laurie and McColl, and Colin Eadie a skilful presence at No 8, skipper Scott Swankie was as bullish a presence at the other end of the field, always looking to counter-attack, and he inspired the Fifers’ comeback.

Stand-off Gregor McNeish converted penalties after 52 and 55 minutes to level the game and, after good breaks by him and scrum-half Rhys Davies secured territory, Swankie took a quick tap-penalty and fed McColl who crashed over.

The Fifers were reduced to 14 men when Eadie was shown a yellow card for handling in a ruck once too many times and, although O’Hagan missed the resultant penalty, he made a fine break through the opposition back line to set up a good attack, earning another penalty. He duly took the chance this time to cut the deficit to two points but, with the bit by now between their teeth and sensing victory, Dunfermline’s performance had lifted and their desire was clear in the defensive effort.

McNeish took on a last-minute penalty from 40 metres, but it fell short – Swankie had told him to kick it dead but even Chris Paterson cannot achieve that from 40 metres with the massive Murrayfield dead-ball area – and Musselburgh duly grasped the ball and launched a final bid for victory.

In a pulsating denouement, the East Lothian men ran the ball for another five minutes into injury time, punching the Dunfermline defence back to their 22 with excellent continuity across the field, which had their fans screaming their support. However, with Dunfermline holding firm in their 22, scrum-half Daniel Owenson set up O’Hagan for a last-ditch drop-goal, and it fell wide from 35 metres out allowing Dunfermline, eventually, to clear to touch and hand Caledonia rugby its share of the finals day spoils.

Scorers: Dunfermline – Try: McColl. Pens: McNeish (2). Musselburgh – Pens: O’Hagan 3.

Dunfermline: S Swankie (capt); J Harris, G Boland, C McIntyre, M Scade; G McNeish, R Davies; T Murray, G Valentine, A Warneford, S Laurie, T McColl, C Stewart, J Lawrie, C Eadie. Subs (all played): G Low, S Gracie, G Gibson, D Jennings, J Carr, F Cowe, M Lloyd.

Musselburgh: L Draycott; J Murray, A Cook, P Davis, J Doig (capt); D O’Hagan, D Owenson; F Sutherland, R Chesman, C Owenson, W Fleming, P Kirkland, J Allen, R Lovett, L Hutson. Subs (all played): N McNairn, G Bowman, C Ferrira, D Ritchie, C Veitch, N Hogg, K Linton.

Referee: K White.