This was the big one, the RLC Scottish 2009 Grand Final. After Carluke Tigers outstanding victory over Edinburgh Eagles in the play-offs, Edinburgh went on to beat Fife Lions in the final eliminator play-off to set up a Grand Final re-match against the Tigers. The venue was Braidholm, home of Glasgow rugby union side GHA, and the crowd anticipated another battle between these two sides. The scene was set and after Moray Eels 70-14 mauling of the under strength Fife Lions in the Plate Final, the Tigers and Eagles took center stage for the main event of the day.

The match started a breakneck pace with both teams putting in some hard running and equally hard tackling from the word go. Five minutes into the game the heavens opened and a 15 minute downpour ensued, but the quality of the match was not lost as both teams battled hard for midfield supremacy. The Tigers Bengy Barsanti made a fine midfield break on 15 minutes, and offloaded to Jamie Hillis, who, in an attempt to set Lee McWhinnie free down the left hand touchline, saw his pass hang in the wind only to be intercepted by Eagles winger Chris Graham who raced down the touchline to go over in the corner. In the process the Tigers suffered a further blow, with the chasing Paul Beer suffering knee ligament damage and having to retire from the field. The usually unerring boot of Andy Grodynski missed the target with the conversion attempt, leaving the Tigers trailing by 4 early doors.

The Tigers were not about to be sickened by an interception try, however, and immediately came roaring back at the Eagles, with Barsanti and Karalus repeatedly battering holes in the Eagles defence. A try was looking on the cards, and it came for the Tigers close to half time, when the Tigers actually kept the ball for a sustained period and on completion of the set, a neat grubber kick from Stand Off Ross McAuley was found by prop George Sloan for what was a well worked score. McAuley then added the extra 2 points to see the Tigers go in at half time 6-4 up.

Half Time - Carluke Tigers 6 Edinburgh Eagles 4

The second half opened with the usual barrage of big hits, and although high in action, score-wise was locked in stalemate for long periods, leaving the crowd hanging. As it was Edinburgh were first to score around half way through the half, with Seb Trotter doting down close to the posts. Grodynski this time adding the extras, leaving Edinburgh 10-06 up.

With the game so closely contested, Edinburgh now had the upper hand and things were tense, as both teams continued to throw everything at each other with only 20 minutes left. After a sustained period of pressure, however, the Tigers crossed the line again. With good field position made, a great individual effort saw Blake Whitehead go over, as he scooted from the back of the play the ball and bullocked low through the Edinburgh defense to score out on the left. Unfortunately the score was not converted, and so after a few frantic attacks the full time whistle went with both sides in a stalemate.

Full Time - Carluke Tigers 10 Edinburgh Eagles 10

Both sides were battered and bruised, not to mention tired after 80 minutes of Rugby League, but the crown of Scottish Champions was still up for grabs and 20 minutes of extra time loomed. With both sides tiring, the play was decidedly slower, but both teams still put everything into it, but there were no scores in the first half of extra time. The Tigers did have two big chances to score, but the cruelest of handling errors within five meters of the line kept the half scoreless.

The second half of extra time kicked off and as before both tired sides pushed hard for the decisive score. It was a stage where whoever scored first was through, as neither team had much energy in the locker to stage any comebacks. And so it proved, as unfortunately for the Tigers, Edinburgh lock Mike Wallace bulldozed his way over in the right hand corner for what proved to be the decisive score, with Grodynski adding the touchline conversion. The Tigers valiantly attempted to come back, but it was all to late, with Grodynski adding a further 2 points from a penalty.

After Extra Time - Carluke Tigers 10 Edinburgh Eagles 18

It was a long hard day, and either team could have won. The Tigers effort was superb, but they just missed out. Everyone at the Tigers is now thinking of next year, and hopefully in our third season, we can go one better and be crowned Scottish Champions.

Carluke Tigers; L. Matheson, L. McWhinnie, K. Matheson, B. Karalus, M. Hart, R. McAuley, J. Hillis, M. Martin, C. Lewis, C. Simmonds, B. Barsanti, P. Beer, B. Whitehead.
Subs; G. Sloan, G. Ferguson, L. Bryson, A. Lynch.