NEWLY crowned National League Division 2 champions Musselburgh played their first game since clinching the title a fortnight ago in dramatic fashion against Howe of Fife, their opponents county rivals North Berwick in the final of the East Lothian Cup.

Burgh used the occasion to ring the changes in personnel and award some of the 2nd XV by giving them a first team outing. In the absence of captain Graeme Bowman and vice-captain Andrew Cook (who was getting married), Davie Paton captained a young Burgh side.

North Berwick stand-off Grant Craig got proceedings under way in windy and changeable conditions. Early pressure by the visitors forced a couple of penalties, pushing the young Burgh side on to the back foot and their early pressure was rewarded when Craig went in under the posts before converting his own try to give North Berwick a seven-point lead.

The visitors continued to give as good as they got, and often more, as the Burgh pack were given a real hard time. Calum Kerr did, however, get Burgh back in the game with a fine try after jinking through the defence, the conversion missed as the arrears were reduced, but the visitors still lead 5-7.

North Berwick continued to look the more likely team before Kerr and Grant swapped penalties, leaving the half-time score at 8-10 to NB.

Musselburgh were given a really hard time of it by a North Berwick side who played with great spirit and determination and the visitors increased their lead to 8-17 as Craig again scored both try and conversion.

It looked as though Burgh might lose their undefeated home record this season, but a fine break by Kerr put Tom Armstrong in before Kerr converted for 15-17 as finally Burgh began to show signs of improvement.

Then a good move through the hands of both forwards and backs put Burgh into the lead when Steve Finigan went over and Kerr converted for 22-17.

After winning the inaugural Jardine Cup against Preston Lodge and the league championship against Howe of Fife, Burgh were hoping to see out time for the East Lothian Cup and their third trophy of the season, but in the dying minutes North Berwick lock Max Anderson went over to level at 22-22 and suddenly Craig had a kick virtually for the cup, which, sadly for North Berwick, he missed and extra time was required after a 22-22 final score.

The young Burgh side were bolstered by two or three first teamers but on this occasion the heroes seemed to be in North Berwick colours as Craig again put them ahead at 22-25 with a difficult penalty that went in off the post, before having bad luck with another penalty which came back off the post.

The clock was into the last five minutes when Burgh were awarded what looked like a kickable penalty to tie the scores, but the gamble of the tap and pass paid great dividends as Paddy Brown went in for an unconverted try and the slenderest of wins, meaning the East Lothian Cup went to Musselburgh 27-25 after extra time.