A dramatic try in the last play of the match from John Lee helped Murrayfield Wanderers secure a nail-biting 29-26 victory over Gordonians, and book their place in the BT Shield final for the first time since 2005.

A converted Adam MacFarlane try gave Wandies a 7-0 lead as the visitors made the most of early possession and territory.
Gordonians responded with a superbly-taken try from Ross Knight before the hosts edged in front courtesy of a penalty try.
Having weathered the storm with Saps Navu in the sin-bin for a high tackle, Wandies hit back with tries from Logan Thom and Lachlan Lee and a penalty from Murray to take a 22-14 half-time lead.

A double from David Illyiane gave Gordonians the advantage heading into the final stages of the second half, but Wandies found the edge in the forwards and late into injury time found their way over the line to steal victory.

Off the back of a comfortable 66-10 BT Edinburgh Shield final win over Linlithgow in February, Wandies were under no allusions of the different kind of threat Gordonians would pose in Aberdeenshire.

Despite this, Wandies got off to a near-perfect start and enjoyed early possession, resulting in the opening try of the match. Adam MacFarlane touched down after a dominant pack shoved their way over from short distance. The conversion good, Wandies led 7-0.
Indicative of this arm-wrestle-type affair, Gordonians were quick to respond and scored a fantastic try through Ross Knight. The winger made the best out of an average pass, scooping up the loose ball to cross for the score, which too was converted.

Both teams now in a punch and counter-punch match, Wandies were next to score after a series of effective pick and go moves which enabled Logan Thom to crash over for an unconverted try to re-take the lead at 12-7.

The fact Wandies were able to score during the time Saps Navu was in the sin-bin – for a high tackle – gave Gordonians extra incentive to go in search of a second score themselves. And they got just that through a penalty try.

With neither side exerting any sort of control over the game in the opening half, it took a poor exit strategy from the hosts for Wandies to head into half-time ahead. Once they got hands on the ball, a series of drives and quick hands in the backs put Lachlan in for Wandies’ third try.

Murray then slotted a difficult penalty on the stroke of half-time to extend the lead to 22-14.

The second half was as tight as the first but this time Gordonians managed to fire straight away and got themselves back into the match through David Illyine. The winger saw yellow in the first half for repeated infringements but upon his return to action, he proved a revelation and a thorn in the side for Wandies.

The home side held much of the possession and made a concerted effort to breach the Wandies defensive line. But the visitors stood their ground and staunch defence prevented any scores during an arduous 10 minute spell.

The wall would be breached eventually and a fine passing sequence, initiated by Gordonians Captain Tom Williams’ storming drive, produced enough space for Illyine to cross over for the try.

Thankfully for Wandies, the conversion was missed, meaning Bruce Aitchison’s men maintained their lead – albeit reduced to 22-19.
The fresh Gordonians onslaught was not done with yet as 10 minutes later they struck once more. That man Illyine again crossed for the try in the corner; this time with greater significance as the home side took a 26-22 lead with just four minutes of normal time remaining.

Desperate for the rub of the green in whatever way possible, Wandies were hit with a myriad of injuries during the second half, most notably to Logan who left the field with just over 10 minutes left.

With time nearly up, Wandies were awarded a penalty in their own half, which was duly kicked to touch. Having won the resulting line-out, Wandies knew that this was their last chance in the final passage of the match.

To a man, Wandies relentlessly battered the Gordonians defence, gaining ground with nearly every carry. There were occasional knock backs from the ferocious home side but Wandies continued their progress towards the line.

The arduous march and backbreaking clashes gave them a steady grounding in the opposition 22 and quick ball for Murray Hastie enabled bigger and better holes to be pierced.

Eventually, it all came down to the forwards and between semi-regular pauses in attack, another punishing drive at the line broke Gordonians down once and for all. From the base of the ruck, and assisted by the strength of Saps behind him, John Lee picked up and drove for the line; the momentum was such that no doubt could be cast over the outcome.

The try awarded and conversion slotted in the final seconds of the match, Wandies ran out winners of a gruelling, edgy match to ensure a first appearance in a Shield final for 12 years when they face Carrick at BT Murrayfield.