These two sides have met three times in the past 53 weeks with Lasswade two wins to one ahead but the total points scored just 38-36 in Lasswade’s favour. Both newcomers to Division One they have shot to the top and with each on an unbeaten run and leadership of the League at stake, another close and hard fought encounter was guaranteed. The teams did not disappoint as play swung from end to end and the sequence of scoring kept the result in the balance until the final whistle.

The rain stayed away but as so often at Hawthornden a blustery wind from Rosewell blew straight down the park and turned out to be quite influential as downwind kicks went too far or were swept wide of the mark into it.

Lasswade dominated in the forwards especially in the scrum and breakdowns, but it was a much more equal struggle out wide. Bernie Hennessey stood out for Lasswade in the centre, earning their man of the match for his several breaks and solid tackling against some determined opponents.

Kicking off with the wind at their backs, Greenock used it to dominate territory and after 5 minutes, Diffenthal, their standoff converted a penalty when a maul was pulled down.

Lasswade still found it difficult to get out of their own half but also fended off several scoring chances and the visitors had to settle for another three points with 11 minutes gone.

Having weathered the opening storm it was the hosts turn to apply some pressure. On the quarter hour a penalty was used to set up an eight-metre line out and the almost inevitable catch and drive ended with Borthwick touching down wide out but the wind blew Brown’s conversion attempt away.

The visitors reasserted themselves immediately with another spell of pressure deep in opposition territory but had to settle for another Diffenthal penalty to increase the lead to 9-5.

The hosts responded again and just three minutes later threw in to another line out in striking distance of the line. Clark was caught trying to go through the middle but set the ball up and two controlled drives saw Adam claiming another forward’s try. The wind again defeated Brown but the home side were now in front by a nose going into the second quarter.

Much of the second twenty belonged to Lasswade as they pounded away at the Wanderers but they held firm and looked set to go into the second half only one point behind. Then, two minutes into stoppage time, a ruck on the Greenock line gave Clark the chance to grab his side’s third try. Again the conversion shaded the outside of the post leaving the half time score at 15-9.

With the wind now at their team’s back, the home support and some of the visitors may well have expected a fourth bonus try and a secure if not comfortable win. Wanderers had other ideas though and the wind also proved a fickle friend as kicks went long to make for an easy touch down and 22 drop-out, or even dead and a scrum back.

Fifteen minutes of gruelling effort passed before Clark was held up over the line and Lasswade’s new signing, Wood, slotted three points.

Wanderers bounced back and just two minutes later a sweeping backs move, and a missed attempt to intercept, gave Tyley the chance to show his pace and cross in the corner. Diffenthal converted to reduce the deficit to 18-16.

Further pressure followed and the home crowd could only hold its breath as three eminently kickable penalties, on a normal Diffenthal day, were blown back.

Lasswade regrouped and forced some desperate Wanderers defending. Acknowledging that a simple win came before a bonus try, kickable penalties were aimed at goal and Wood slotted two to open up the lead to a more comfortable eight points - but still with eleven minutes to go.

Greenock did not win Division 2 last season by chance though and matched the home fitness to keep attacking and pressurising to the end.

In the forty-first minute of the half, the home side turned their backs on a penalty while Greenock No 9, McGroarty, stayed sharp, tapped and ghosted his way through the Lasswade defence into the corner to at least claim the losing bonus point.

It was a relief to home players and supporters alike that no-side followed a couple of sequences from the restart leaving the final score at 24 21.

Lasswade’s President, Ian Barr was naturally delighted that his team maintained its winning form while Greeonock President, Dougie Sloan conceded that Lasswade deserved to win with the forwards’ dominance making the difference,

Lasswade stay top of the table on 19 points while Greenock slip to third with 14, behind Livingston (16) who are now the only other unbeaten side in the Division.

On Saturday, Lasswade head southwest to Langholm who have a less than 50% record so far. Kickoff 3pm.

Richard Payne.