Lasswade 32 Perthshire 10 - a bonus point perfect start

With the Captain away on honeymoon, Vice-Captain Donald Hearn led the home team out for Lasswade’s first league fixture as a Premier Club.

In direct contrast to Lasswade’s all-conquering 2010-11 season, Perthshire escaped relegation courtesy of a single loser’s bonus point from their very last fixture, condemning Musselburgh to the drop.

Having already watched their team win their own tournament and overcome Premier 2 Biggar the week before, the sizeable home support had good reason to hope for a successful start to the season. They were not to be disappointed as their team took an early lead, turned round 17-3 ahead and added the bonus point try on the hour. Only when reduced to 14 by a yellow card did they concede a try.

The well-prepared pitch and the calm, cool weather offered near perfect playing conditions and in spite of the convincing victory both teams contributed fully to an entertaining afternoon.

Lasswade quickly returned Perthshire’s kick off and within three minutes forced a penalty in Wood’s range.

The home side built on the early lead with a near continuous assault, and with barely 10 minutes elapsed, Hennessey gained the ball from the back of a ruck, stepped through a half gap and grounded at the posts for Wood to make it 10-0.

Perthshire recovered their composure and, thanks mostly to a lively and enterprising set of backs, the majority of play took place in Lasswade’s half for the next quarter hour but the defence kept them out while the visiting standoff, Letham, narrowly missed two long-range penalty shots.

Lasswade weathered the storm and on the half hour won their scrum on half way and a rehearsed loop in the centre created space for Durie to take play into the 22 with newcomer Jamie Blackwood taking the offload and gifting Clark the try. Wood was on target for the extra points.

The last few minutes of the half belonged to Perthshire but they had to settle for a Letham penalty as their only reward before half time

Wood added three more with a minute of the second period gone and was the prime mover in a stunning try a few minutes later. From a scrum 22 metres out on the right, Wood looped to create the extra man and quick hands along the back line left Gray with enough space to squeeze into the corner.

Although Perthshire’s backs always looked dangerous when given the opportunity, Lasswade dominated possession and territory and added the bonus point with 20 minutes still remaining. From a scrum on the 22, Hennessey drew the defence, popped to Coleman and when he was held on the line, Blackwood was on hand to crown his debut match with a try under the posts. Wood’s fifth kick out of six chances and his control of the game at standoff earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Perthshire increased their work rate in the last quarter and were further helped when Robertson was yellow carded, With 10 minutes to go and having successfully countered several attempts throughout the game by Lasswade to score through their near trademark catch-and-drive, the Perthshire showed off their won version from 15 metres out with McKinnon claiming the touchdown. Letham’s conversion proved to be the last contribution to the scoreline.

Lasswade travel to Dumfries this Saturday. Placed fourth at the end of last season, the Saints will provide an even clearer measure of what to expect in Premier 3.