An estimated 400 people turned up for this semi-final and were treated to a tense but exciting exhibition of rugby, with the home side matching their on-paper senior visitors in just about every aspect of play.

The forwards provided a solid platform in the set scrums and won almost all of their own lineout ball and some of Whitecraigs. At scrum half Neil Clark put in another man of the match performance linking forwards and backs with the latter making several breaks as well as covering every inch of grass to contain the potentially dangerous Whitecraigs standoff/centre partnership.

In near perfect conditions with no wind and a firm pitch, the visitors had the best of the opening exchanges and took early first blood when a Lasswade tackler failed to roll away giving Stevenson an easy three points in front of the posts after just two minutes.

Whitecraigs continued to test the home defences for the next quarter hour but could not extend their lead and the tide began to turn in Lasswade’s favour.

With play almost all in the opposition half now the homers earned a 10-metre lineout and turned to they most reliable move of catch and drive to take the lead with Brown both touching down and adding the conversion.

Whitecraigs continued to be pinned down and two minutes into stoppages time another 20 metre catch and drive headed for the line and when it stalled Brown broke off the back drew three defenders and offloaded to the ever alert Clark to dart in under the posts with McWilliam bring up the half time score of 14-3.

The Lanarkshire side stepped up their efforts in the second half relying perhaps too much on Moffat their big inside centre, Their determination - and desperation as time began to run out came up against an equally resolute and organised defence thwarting all of their efforts.

In shades of the Ellon encounter Lasswade were reduced to 14 men for the last ten minutes by a yellow card which added to the pressure, but the wall only cracked five minutes into stoppage time when the Craigs winger forced his way over in the corner. Stevenson’s conversion made it 14-10 but turned out to be the last act in the drama.

Whitecraigs coach, Jim Henderson may attribute the result to home advantage but in fact it illustrates the small difference between teams at the top of neighbouring divisions. Further evidence of this is Greenock Wanderers’ convincing dismissal of Dalziel making it an all Division 2 final. League honours are even between the two finalists with Lasswade being the only club to beat the Fort Matilda outfit.

A hard fought final, on Saturday 24th at 3pm, is in prospect and Ian Barr, the Lasswade President, hopes as many supporters as possible will try to be there. Tickets will be sold through the Club and should be reserved as soon as possible.

Between now and then League business resumes and Glasgow Accies appear to be finishing strongly and are currently 8 points ahead in second place but have played two more games. It is vital that Lasswade accumulate as many points as possible.

Highland are Lasswade’s League guests at Hawthornden this Saturday. Kick-off at 3.00pm.