Livi went into Saturdays National Shield Final with a few aching bodies with this being the 3rd tough game for the team in 7 Days, this would be a tough ask for many professional players , never mind amateur players who have to hold down full time jobs through the week as well.

Even though on paper the opposition are Languishing in the League Below the Almond Park men , they are aligned to the Borders giants Gala and have openly (and legally) played a number of Gala A team players in the Shield Competition , and with the Gala A fixture being called off on due to lack of players Livi knew that they would have a tough test ahead.

Things got tougher for Livingston just prior to kick off when winger Kevin Buchan had to pull out in the warm up due to a Knee Injury , luckily Livi's strength in Depth helped and Former Premier 1 Top Scorer and Currie and Melrose favourite Geoff Caldwell stepped in to replace him.

From the Kick off both teams looked hungry for a once in a lifetime trip to Murrayfield and the strong Gala YM forwards were competing well at the breakdown , This allowed them to get some good ball to their young exciting backs and they were asking questions of the Livi midfield , from one of their breaks the pushed into the Livi half and won a penalty with in Kicking distance , which the Gala Stand off Duly converted to make it 3-0

Livi have been a patient team all year and came back into the game with some good phases of their own and a penalty by Craig Bolan brought the score level to 3-3

This lifted the large Almond Park crowd and things were to get better 10 mins later when from a Scrum on the Half Way inspirational Scrum Half John Bruton broke down the blindside he then released Caldwell who when caught by the Gala fullback Dods made a superb offload to supporting Stevie Logan who crossed in the corner for a great try.Bolan hit a tough conversion ad Livi were up 10-3.

YM came storming back and a break from Gregor Mein saw him brought down five metres out. Good rucking took play to the line and after several thrusts rebounded by some good defence by the Livi Pack , Martin Christie dived over the line near the corner.

YM were on the ascendancy and a quick break by Gregor Mein finished under the bar and once again the pack pushed forward and Martin Christie crashed over for his second try. Craig Dods converted for a five point lead
Just when it looked as if YM would carry that lead into the second half, Livi hit back when some good forward play in the Gala half allowed Livi to move the ball to the backs and Ross Neil used his power and pace to slip a tackle to race in at the corner. The conversion missed but the scores were level at the interval.

Livingston came storming out for the second half and changed tactics by using their big heavy pack to try to grind YM down and it began to work as they forced an early penalty to take the lead from Craig Bolan's boot.
After a number of penalties YM then lost a player to the Sin Bin. Craig Bolan increased the lead with another penalty goal to bring the score to 21-15

At this point The score did not reflect the pressure Livi were putting on but that was as much to do with the YM defence as they were a hard team to break down all day Another two penalties from Craig Bolan stretched the home side lead to 27-15 , soon after both teams were down to 14 men with Livi losing prop Marius Tamosatias and YM lost Craig Dods to the sin bin for dissent with ten to go.

Another fine break by Gregor Mein saw him brought down five metres from the posts but after a charge to the line by the forwards, Livingston were awarded a penalty and cleared play back downfield.

Livi were no defending their lead with time ticking away and on the stroke of full time Gala scored the last try of the match with a score in the corner which was well converted to bring the score to 27-22 , As the ball crossed the bar the ref blew for full time and the large crowd roared with excitement as Livi had won through to the final and a trip to Murrayfield awaited everyone and Livi's great season rolled on.

Credit to YM for a good game but the day was the men in Blue and White and now the move into what could be one of the most exciting times in the clubs history , They travel to Langholm on saturday knowing a win would almost seal the league , with the game at home against Berwick the week after being a potential League celebration game and then they Meet Marr in the final on the 20th. Livi know it wont be easy by as shown on Saturday they have the ability , Power and determination to make it happen.