Two penalty kicks from Hillhead captain Julie Craig were all that separated the sides at the interval despite some darting individual insurgences into opposition territory from stand-out performers Sarah Gill (scrum-half, Murrayfield Wanderers) and Hillhead full-back Hu Paul.

In fact, it was Paul who scored the game’s first try when, about 20 minutes into the second-half, the full-back came flying into the back line.

Using a great change of pace and direction Paul glided through a hole in the Murrayfield defence before handing off the last defender on her way to the try line.

Craig added the conversion, 13-0.

While still very entertaining to watch, the closeness of the game saw both sides cancel each other out for long periods of play with well supported attack play foiled by relentless defensive efforts.

However Wanderers stuck to the task with full-back Katy Green and outside-centre Laura Steven making strides into Hillhead territory.

It was then that the holders were handed a life-line when, with just seven minutes left on the clock, Paul was yellow carded for coming in at the side of the ruck and so Hillhead would ply out the half a player short.

Winger Megan Gaffney was the first Wanderer to capitalise on the overlap when the ball was quickly shipped her way to cross for her sides first score.

However Gill’s missed conversion meant the side were still two scores adrift before Craig slotted a penalty to relax the nerves of a 14-man side were giving it everything to keep their lead, 16-5.

With just two minutes to go Green crossed for Murrayfield’s second try, which Gill converted, but it was too little too late for the holders and Hillhead / Jordanhill were crowned as champions.

FULL TIME: 16-12

HILLHEAD / JORDANHILL
Hu Paul; Emma McBride, Maria Omma, Stephanie Johnston, Lizzie Willis; Julie Craig CAPTAIN, Rachael Nicolson; Lucy Ward, Lindsey Smith, Heather Lockhart, Jenny Johnstone, Sam Beal, Arlene McConnell, Caroline Mullenbroich, Susie Brown
Substitutes
Kerry McFadzean, Fiona Reardon, Catherine McGrenera, sarah Toom, Shona Wight, Victoria

MURRAYFIELD WANDERERS
Katy Green; Magan Gaffney, Laura Steven, Rhona Shepherd, Tracy McAdam; Lisa Martin, Sarah Gill; Ellen Beattie, Sarah Quick, Beth Dickens, Ange Johnston, Jennifer Cram, Tess Fosberg, Ruth Slaven CAPTAIN, Louise Moffat
Substitutes
Lana Blyth; Emma Masters, Nikki Cassie, Kelly Shields, Sarah Dunnett, Rebecca Rees, Emma Mechan

Player fo the match: Julie Craig (Hillhead / Jordanhill)
Referee: Mhairi Hay