England didn't stay behind for long, however, and scored two tries, by Hamilton-Wickes and Wakefield, the first of which was converted by Luddington. This gave the visitors an 11-5 lead, which meant that the Scots had to score twice, as a converted try was only worth 5 points.
The excitement reached fever pitch with 25 minutes remaining, when the Scots scored a magnificent, but highly controversial try, following a superb passing move which involved Smith, MacPherson and Johnny Wallace, who touched down right next to the flag in the right-hand corner.
The English team, officials and fans were adamant that Smith had a foot in touch before Wallace grounded the ball to finish the move, but Welsh referee Mr Freethy was happy that the try was good and awarded the three points to Scotland. Amidst a hushed silence from the home crowd AC Gillies kicked a magnificent touchline conversion to bring Scotland to within a point of England. The score was 10-11.
Scotland then turned on the style, feverishly attacking the English line for a prolonged period, but another try would not come, nor indeed was it needed as things were to unfold, as Scotland did manage to grab the lead, through a four-point drop goal from Fly Half Waddell, who kicked them ahead with five minutes remaining.
Scotland were not home and dry yet and had to withstand a spirited effort to save the game from England in the remaining minutes. England attacked continuously, but the battling spirit of the home side would see them hold out against severe pressure until the final whistle. With only a three-point lead to hang on to Scotland could afford no errors, as a penalty goal or unconverted try would square the game and a drop goal or try and conversion would see the visitors take the day.
Scottish defensive mistakes were not forthcoming; indeed the magnificent tackling of the Scots in these final moments of that historic Grand Slam season was as important a factor in that success as had been the superb attacking play of their backs throughout the four games.
History tells us of course that the Scots did indeed hold on for an heroic victory. Nevertheless, it is a certainty that both teams would certainly have been relieved to have heard the final whistle, the English side being so exhausted by their efforts to save the game that many of their players were hardly capable of dragging their exhausted bodies off the Murrayfield pitch.
The end of the game saw scenes of celebration and sheer joy, the likes of which had never before been seen on a Scottish rugby field and which would not be repeated for many years to come.
* from "International Rugby Union – A Compendium of Scotland's Matches"
(John MacL Davidson)
