Blairgowrie clinch Murrayfield showdown on national finals day

Blairgowrie RFC will play on the hallowed international pitch at BT Murrayfield for the first time next month after a dramatic semi-final victory in the BT SRU National Bowl at the weekend.

Two converted tries in the dying minutes – the winning score coming five minutes into added time – allowed the Division Two Midlands club to edge out Strathendrick 20-17 at JJ Coupar Park and book a place in the bowl final, a curtain raiser on Scottish club rugby’s finals day at the national stadium on April 22.

Facing a club that had lost just one game in their West Division Three league campaign all season, Blair looked to be struggling trailing 17-6 going into the final 10 minutes until a yellow card against the Stirlingshire side allowed them to exert pressure and start a remarkable comeback.

With the home pack gaining ascendancy and a large crowd urging them on, Blair were held up over the line on one charge but the score was only delayed momentarily for Michael Grant to go over for their first try, Stephen Souter converting to add to his two earlier penalties.

They still needed a try to overhaul the club from Fintry and it came deep into added time when a penalty allowed Blairgowrie to set up an attacking line-out.

From there they ran a powerful driving maul which ended with Dave Malloch being the hero, spinning off to dive for the go-ahead score, converted by Souter.

Blairgowrie will meet the East League’s Portobello in the final, the Edinburgh club defeating Moray 17-11 in the other semi-final in Elgin.