It was here at Murrayfield two seasons ago when these two teams last met, the home team came agonisingly close to the win but eventually came unstuck against a powerful Lasswade outfit on their way to winning their 3rd consecutive promotion through the National Leagues. With the first chance in two seasons to settle the score, Murrayfield would certainly not take this game lying down. Murrayfield kicked off in toward the ice rink and seemed to have put their previous two heart-braking losses behind them. The forwards, led by captain Nick Hart, smashed their way through the opponents ranks with the backs linking up to run at the defence with a newly found sense of determination. It didn't take long for the Murrayfield pack to settle in its rhythm making mincemeat of the visitors scrum. The pressure placed on the visitors began to show which left the referee no option to blow her whistle for an offence at the breakdown right in front of the sticks. Chris Beattie set the wheels in motion 3-0.

With a change at scrum half, the different style of play began to tell with an increased level of urgency coupled with some excellent decision making. It wasn't long before Murrayfield again found themselves in Lasswade territory smashing over the gain line and getting quick ball releasing the backs for another stab at the Lasswade defensive line. Another offence at the breakdown saw Liam Thomas dispatch the ball in to touch on the 5 metre line for a home line out. Lasswade had earlier managed to effectively disrupt the driven mauls, however this time it was to be the home team that held firm drawing in the Lasswade pack. With the try line beckoning, No 8 Adam McFarlane crashed over from short range for the first of the Murrayfield tries 8-0.

With the home team's tails firmly up, Lasswade found it difficult to deal with the quick and direct play which was illustrated perfectly with an audacious out the back door pass to Chris Beattie who had the easiest of run ins to dot down under the posts contributing 7 points to the score board 15-0. With the knowledge that Lasswade could more than easily come back at us if we let them, Wandies kept up the level of intensity that saw them camped in Lasswade territory for most of the first period. Phil Anderson decided it was his turn to get on the score board finishing off a good forwards effort by powering over the line despite the attention of the Lasswade defence.

Half Time 20-0

After the turnaround, Lasswade found their feet and started to get things their own way looking dangerous on the break. Some good link play by the handy Lasswade back rowers saw them release their winger to go over for an unconverted score in the corner 20-5. Frustrated that they had failed with their target of holding Lasswade to a nil, the home team bounced back and forced an error just minutes later. The loose ball was picked up and fed out the back line where Alex Cox steamrollered through the remaining defenders to score the all important bonus point try 25-5.

With the clock creeping in to the final quarter of the match and the home boys perhaps beginning to think this game was won, Lasswade hit back with a well worked try of their own catching the home defence asleep. A line out just outside the Murrayfield 5 metre line was taken well and the onrushing Murrayfield pack ensured the maul held firm. However a lapse in concentration from the pack saw the maul turn allowing Lasswade No.8 O'Riordan the easiest of sprints in to the corner for a converted try 25-12.

That was to be Lasswade's last scoring act of the game with their fight for a losing bonus point effectively over. It was all eyes on the home team from then on in to ensure that they didn't fall at the final hurdle like they have done so many times before. It appeared soon after though that this was about to happen when second rower Johnny Lyons and the Lasswade 12 were both shown yellow cards for a touch of handbags. Although the home team's numerical disadvantage was in the pack, you'd have thought it the contrary when Lasswade were driven off their own scrum 10 minutes from time. With possession back in Murrayfield's hands, the ball was well worked to the wing where Alex Cox created the overlap releasing Alex Godsmark for a 30 metre dash to put a gloss on the final score.

Full Time: 30-12
Motm: Liam Thomas

Next week Wanderers remain at EH12 where we welcome Morgan Academy for the return fixture of the 2012/13 season. The first meeting saw Murrayfield triumph 27-7 in Dundee, fingers crossed another bonus point win will be the result.