Preston Lodge 49 Lasswade 34

Lasswade started their new season back in National League two with this first round of the BT National League cup tie against local NL2 rivals, Preston Lodge. Richard Borthwick retains the 1st XV captaincy supported this year by Mark Billingham as vice-captain and Brian Hughes continues to lead the coaching team.

Most of last year’s successful team and new recruits, Ritchie and Bell at 9 and 10 respectively, will be available to the Hawthornden selectors this season although a couple of injuries in the pre-season friendlies and, worse still, a wedding, meant that a clutch were unavailable for this fixture.

PL built on early pressure and took an early lead when burly and speedy Penrose at centre (wearing 13) broke three tackles to finish off a patient build up with just five minutes gone. Walls added the two points and this partnership was to prove influential throughout the game.

Lasswade recovered and soon levelled the score when Matt Smith chose the precise angle at speed to slice through the defenders and ground under the posts for Bell to convert.

PL had the balance of territory and capitalised at the end of the first quarter when Penrose won the chase to a chip through but Walls’ conversion passed just outside the upright

Well past the half hour, a pickup from the base of a five metre scrum by Riley added the third try and Walls was on target this time as he was with a penalty a few minutes later to set up the half time score of 22-7.

With barely a minute of the second half elapsed, Matt Smith found the angle again on the burst through to add his second try and for Bell to make it 22-14 with the conversion. A Bell penalty further narrowed the gap but was soon balanced by a Walls drop goal from the 22.

13 minutes into a fairly frenetic second half Brash broke free on half way and brushed off several tacklers to ground beside the posts an make it easy for Walls to extend the PL lead to 32-17.

Lasswade again responded and thanks to Mark Billingham who had been giving his opposing prop a hard time all game, Bell slotted another penalty. Shortly after Mark Wilson who was also testing the PL defence set up Kyle Smith to score under the posts and narrow the gap to five points.

Another Walls penalty gave the hosts a bit more breathing space and the score of 35-27 looked set to be the final result as stoppage time started. Some loose passing was intercepted though and this converted try was followed immediately from the restart by an individual mazey run by Penrose from his own 22 to complete his hat-trick for the day.

Perhaps complacent with the score at 49-27 the hosts were a bit casual with their attempt to return the restart and handed Wilson a simple interception which he grabbed as compensation for his sterling efforts throughout the game. Bell’s drop goal conversion still didn’t leave enough time for any more scoring before no-side.

Lasswade’s League campaign begins this Saturday when they welcome Peebles back to Hawthornden. Kick-off 3pm.