Rugby: Murray brace keeps Musselburgh’s national Shield bid alive

Musselburgh’s superb season continued on Saturday and they are now just one match away from playing at the national stadium after they defeated Murrayfield Wanderers in the RBS Edinburgh Regional Shield final.

The RBS National One side from East Lothian now face a national Shield semi with Borders qualifiers Hawick YM in a fortnight after two tries from winger James Murray set them up for a 28-14 victory.

The hosts took the lead early on with a try by centre Chris Dove converted by scrum-half Murray Johnstone.

However, Musselburgh took advantage of Wanderers having a man sin-binned and midway through the second half they were 21-7 to the good after three converted tries of their own.

Wanderers pulled one back, but Musselburgh managed to come through on top with the final score of the day.

Murray’s two tries were added to by one from prop Craig Owenson and one by stand-off Dave O’Hagen, with the latter the man converting all four scores for Musselburgh.

They will now be out to clinch the league title and the national Shield in the coming weeks, but Hawick YM have now leapt above them at the top of the table. The Borderers won 46-15 over Dunfermline at the weekend and are four points clear with two matches left.

Livingston secured their first positive result of the league season with a 20-20 draw with Garnock while Edinburgh University beat Ellon 29-17.

Lismore got their first win of the East One season, 36-13 over Trinity Accies, while East Three leaders Edinburgh Northern drew 12-12 at St Boswells.