Sunday saw the clash of 2 old rivals in the semi final of the Challenge cup to gain passage to the coveted final next week. The match was played at Peffermill as was Murrayfield not available due to the Magic Weekend. Wandies were ready for battle even without Lana 'Bad' Blyth who managed to injure herself the week before whilst scoring a try. The match started with Royal High's no. 10 Tanya Griffiths putting in a number of probing kicks which tested the Wandies back 3 and saw RHC with the first pressure on the Wandies 5m line. An unfortunate knock on at the base of a ruck resulted in RHC failling to capitalise on the ground they had made. Wandies managed to clear their lines with a kick from Lisa 'Shorty' Martin. From here Wandies slowly but surely kept possesion and after a break from the base of a ruck on the half way, Wandies scrum half Gilly grubbered through which was chased and collected by Katy 'green Machine' Green. Frantic RHC defence reorganised and from a ruck on the 5m line Rhona Shepherd dived over a bundle of players to claim the first try. Gilly slotted the conversion 7-0.

RHC suffered a number of injuries which hampered their efforts in retaining possesion but just when Wandies looked to be on top, a penalty in our 22 gave RHC the chance to pull back some points. Cougars Louise Dalgleish kicked the penalty to make it 7-3.

In the 2nd half Wandies started well, with some determined ball carrying from Moff, Tess and Captain Ruthie who lead the charge to show this game was far from over. Wandies no 10 Shep came off injured with a calf strain to which she was met with 'aye ok, but can you go back on? After commenting she would return to the field but not run with the ball, she proceeded to run in a try from our own 22 with a number of players 'hinging aff her'. Well done shep! Gilly scored a neat conversion from the side of the park, score 14-3.

RHC pulled back a score to make it 14-8 with the game still all to play for. Moff came off injured greetin saying that she had broke her hand. She was given the same reply that was given to shep 'aye ok, but can you go back on?' Moff duly skipped back on and played her part as did all the Wandies forwards in supplying the backs a platform. Rhona scored a 3 rd try which took the final score to 19-8.

A well over due Wandies team night out ensued. Fun was had by all and for the record, the coach has retired from karioke duties.  Officially. Next weekend sees the final to be bashed out between Wanderers and HillJills. If the last game was anything to go by, it will be hard , emotional and a fight to the end. These are the games we wait all season for...........................

May the best team win!