As the crowds flooded into the east stand at Murrayfield this Saturday, the stage was set for the ladies of Edinburgh University to attempt to retain the Varsity Trophy.
With both teams showing nerves in the early stages, the match got off to a frantic start. A great break away run followed by a successful offload from Amy Walter took Edinburgh just short of the try line with Captain Sally Stott getting the ball over the line taking Edinburgh to an early lead. With Edinburgh looking to build on the good start, full back Hannah Septoff makes a run out wide getting through three St Andrews defenders and goes over for try number two. Only moments after the restart Liz Musgrove makes a brilliant break from the half way line to get another try, this time under the post. Helena Scullion successfully converts taking the score to 17-0 after only eleven minutes played.
With St Andrews looking tight in defense, the next ten minutes are characterized by pressure from both teams until Edinburgh regain control and Katie Dougan displays her strength and crashes the ball over the line. Helena Scullion makes the conversion and Edinburgh are 24 points ahead only twenty minutes into the game.
Number 11 Lindsay Maguire goes down just before half time with an ankle injury and Rachael Harkavy comes on to make her debut for Edinburgh. Half time score see Edinburgh lead 24-0.
As the second half gets under way, Amy Walter quickly works her magic and the Scotland Touch player gets the ball over for her first try. With St Andrews struggling to deal with the Edinburgh threat, the pace of Liz Musgrove proves too much and she cruises to a hat-trick at BT Murrayfield to take Edinburgh ahead 43-0.
Amy Walter shows her experience in the game and after 38 minutes, she cuts a great line and scores under the post to get her second try of the game.
Great hits coming in from Edinburgh's number 4 Lucy McMaster stop any challenge from St Andrews as they desperately try to get on the score board. But with a determined attack and an illegal turn over by Edinburgh leading to a quickly taken penalty on the five meter line, St Andrews manage to get their first try. Conversion attempt from St Andrews doesn't make it over taking the score to 48-5.
In the final minute, a great scrum from Edinburgh sets them up for one last attack and Katie Dougan takes full advantage of the gaps in the St Andrews defense and scores a sensational last try for the winning side.
Full time score 53-5 with Edinburgh coming out on top. St Andrews put up a good battle and gave it everything but in the end the home side where just too strong. Edinburgh retain the Scottish Varsity Women's Trophy for another year and put in confident performance to start the 2017/18 season.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Amy Walter TRIES: Sally Stott (1) Hannah Septoff (1)
Katie Dougan (2)
Liz Musgrove (3) Amy Walter (2)