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Broughton Women save the Best(wick) til last to secure National 1 title

Broughton Women save the Best(wick) til last to secure National 1 title

Mark Brown20 Jan - 09:50

A brace of tries by Rebecca Bestwick in the final four minutes swung the pendulum in a pulsating play-off encounter.

Broughton Women are the new snappily named Caledonian/Midlands/East 1 title winners after a dramatic last play Rebecca Bestwick try swung the pendulum at the death to see the silverware make its way to North Edinburgh.

With the sides locked on a win apiece & an equal head-to-head points difference, a play-off in the picturesque neutral surroundings of Hillfoots RFC was required to shape the destination of the league title.

It was perhaps no surprise that the score remained blank after a full half an hour on the clock with both sides cancelling each other out in true arm wrestle style.

Then, the hosts edged their noses ahead with a try in the corner after some fine work by their impressive forwards pack who set up a platform for the opening score of the afternoon.

Broughton’s response didn’t take long to materialise and just five minutes later. Lorna Murdoch sending a cross-field kick deep into the Dundee 22 which was recycled well for Rowan Ramage to bring Broughton level in the corner despite close attentions of two covering Valkryies players.

The equilibrium was to last a full ninety seconds after the hosts broke up the middle of the paddock and under the uprights, that were subsequently split by the conversion.

HT Broughton 5-12 Dundee Valkryies

The team from the City of Discovery found themselves further in front just ten minutes after the break, utilising the slope and went over the breach the metaphorical whitewash for the third time.

Broughton rallied however and closed the gap following dogged determination from Krissy MacDonald who bashed her way over the line to make it 10-17.

Both sides looked to push for the most cliched of all ‘crucial next try’ as the sands of time ticked away and the couple of hundred people on the sidelines were down to the last of their nails to chew on.

With just four minutes left, Broughton set up a grandstand finale – quite befitting of the occasion - when Rebecca Bestwick pinned back her ears up the touchline and used her dynamic pace to execute a delightful try. Could Broughton dare to dream?

The roar from the well populated Broughton sideline almost drove Helen Lyon over the line moments later in the search for what looked an unlikely winner at the break, but she was helped up by a Dundee defence desperate to see out a game they lead since the 31st minute.

Dundee’s goal line drop out was returned with interest, Broughton edging closer with the Ref’s watch counting down seconds rather than minutes, the crowd urging their favourites on to complete a comeback that even Lazarus himself would have been proud of.

Composure conquered chaos and the calmness of Rebecca Bestwick could even afford a brief juggle from the pass into her direction before dotting down at the death to cue absolute scenes.

The conversion outcome didn’t matter and after the attempt failed to trouble the uprights, one final shrill of the whistle sounded to mark the end of an emotionally draining eighty minutes.

FT: Broughton 20-17 Dundee Valkryies

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