Livingston put up a spirited display despite falling to a 72-12 defeat against Greenock Wanderers in the National Women’s Bowl final at Murrayfield.
In just their first season playing competitive fixtures, Livi reaching the showpiece event was a remarkable achievement in itself having swept aside Hamilton and Stornoway on their way to the final.
Greenock were always likely to be too strong for Livi over the course of 80 minutes but their tenacious defending and never-say-die attitude ensured they left everything out on the field come the final whistle.
They were able to play some neat attacking rugby at times when they had the ball and they were able to at least celebrate a pair of stunning tries from full-back Leanne Moir that ensured she won the Player of the Game award.
Greenock got on the front-foot from the first whistle but resolute defending meant it took until the eighth minute for Wanderers to score their first try through Lesley Candehead.
Caitlyn Haldane and Catriona Cowan would score as Greenock opened up a 15-0 lead before Moir’s first try as she intercepted the ball inside her own half before sprinting beyond a string of defenders to get Livi on the board.
They were unable to build on that, though, as further tries from Cowan and Cadenhead made it 25-5 to Wanderers at the break.
Greenock’s experience and higher division status would show in the second half with the scoring becoming more frequent.
Tina Hemphill, Erin Haldane and Caitlyn Haldane touched down before Cowan completed her hat-trick. All four tries were converted as Greenock opened up a 53-5 advantage.
That’s when Moir produced her second bit of magic in the game as she collected the ball before darting down the wing for Livi’s second try.
Caitlyn Haldane, Cowan once more and Hemphill would all cross the line in the final moments as Greenock tallied a dozen tries.
Despite the defeat, Livi heads didn’t go down and they celebrated as they picked up their silver medals.
Moir commented: “This has been incredible. We have been building numbers from the start of the year.
“The players, the coaches, the whole club are amazing. It has been such a wild journey and even just being here is better than anything.”
