The end of the regular season may be just round the corner, but for Murrayfield Wanderers and head coach Bruce Aitchison, things are only just beginning.

Wandies may have dominated BT East Region Division 1 up till now, but it was only last weekend's 66-10 thumping of Linlithgow in the Edinburgh Shield final that any tangible success has been fully measured.

It is one of potentially three pieces of silverware for Wandies, as they look to secure the BT National Shield on the main pitch in the national stadium as well as league glory before the end of the season in April.

This year marks a staggering return to form for Murrayfield, who in recent times had been content with salvaging third or fourth in the lower leagues.

But with Bruce at the helm and the leadership of key players such as out-half Murray Hastie, back-rower Adam McFarlane and captain Fraser Strachan, the side have become a powerhouse in the league and have developed an overwhelming desire to be utterly dominant wherever possible.

No clearer was this shown than when Wandies ran riot in West Lothian last Saturday. It was their second away win in the Shield competition, after an opening round win against North Berwick.

A solitary drop goal from Linlithgow on the brink of half-time was all that Wandies afforded their luckless hosts. Two scores from Saps Navu and Strachan, plus one apiece for Pedro and Tom Lawman saw Wandies cruise past 30 within the opening 40 minutes.

Shut the gates and settle for that you might think? Not a chance for Wandies as the second half began. A trait that has been all too apparent this season has been a newly-found killer instinct, Wandies continued to be merciless.

Tries from Paddy, Muzz, Ewan and a third for Saps against the tide of penalties for Wandies was a sign of resilience in the face of adversity.

Lawman copped a yellow card and Linlithgow scored a consolation try but it didn't matter. Wandies got the final say in the end and scored their last try through Logan Thom to cap off a remarkable victory.

So what now for Wandies? A semi-final of the Shield against one of a number of competitive teams. Victory there will see Bruce's side become the first Wandies men's squad to compete on Finals day at Murrayfield since 2005.

Added incentive also comes from the possibility of double representation. The Ladies are looking to make it four in a row in the Sarah Beaney Cup; the ramifications for the club if this is to happen would be something only dreams are made of.