Perthshire 30 Lasswade 8

Although the points difference is smaller, this defeat is even more shocking than that against Cartha a fortnight ago.

Both before and after this match the hosts are propping up the table with just one other win - at home against fellow table-props, Haddington.

Most Perthshire players and the surprisingly large touchline support would have settled for a losing bonus point. Instead, they were gifted a four-try victory through a near total lapse in concentration and cohesion on the part of their opponents during ten minutes of the second half

It would be too easy to suggest that the absence of eight or nine IstXV regulars was the cause but, quite apart from that being a slur on the replacements, Perthshire reported a similar selection problem.

The home side kicked off and drew first blood within 2 minutes when Lasswade strayed offside.

The visitors attacked from the restart and a straightforward but well executed pass along the backs had Smith over in the corner just 2 more minutes later.

Perthshire retook the lead through a penalty against the current run of play before the ten minute mark but were forced to defend their 22 for most of the next 25 minutes.

Lasswade were unable to add to their total, in spite of the pressure and Perthshire fought back just before the break earning a try to take the score of 11-5 to half time.

Lasswade have come from much further behind this season and five minutes into the second period a Brown penalty narrowed the gap to 3 points.

Lasswade continued to have more territory and possession but on the 50-minute mark a spilled ball was snapped up by the Perthshire scrum half on his own 22 and he outpaced the defence all the way to the posts for an easy conversion.

With their tails up now, the home flanker found a largely undefended narrow tight side at a scrum on half way and also made it all the way to the line where a late hit by Robertson earned him a yellow card to add to Lasswade’s defensive problems.

With their opponents reeling and a man short, the home side piled on the agony and converted a five-metre scrum into the bonus try just before the hour.

The visitors stopped the leaks for the remaining quarter and had several incursions deep into Perthshire territory but failed to change the 30-8 score line.

Joint table toppers, Dumfries, travel to Hawthornden for the first time this Saturday and will be looking to rub salt in the home side’s wounds. Kick-off 2pm.