Murrayfield Wanderers 16 Lasswade 37

Murrayfield came within a point of Lasswade in the home leg in September and the following week were the first of only two teams to beat Berwick at this point of the season. Their results since then have been more variable and they came to this contest fifth in the table.

To defend their unbeaten record Lasswade fielded a side of familiar faces. Their selection options are now from a squad of about 25 players each worthy of selection in their own right.

Storm Arwen had passed on without noticeable damage to the playing surface and had been replaced by bright sunshine but with a chill breeze across the pitch.

Murrayfield kicked off but spent the next ten minutes on the back foot in their own half. However, it needed a trademark catch and drive finished off by Robertson to open the Lasswade account.

Although dominant in the set pieces and ahead on territory and possession, some Lasswade indiscipline especially at the breakdown gave Bright three penalty shots to take his side 9-5 ahead before the half hour.

The visitors retook control in the remaining ten minutes when Blair Smith touched down under the posts to complete a sequence of fluent forward and back interplay that started deep in their own half. Matt Smith’s conversion and a penalty a few minutes later added a further five points.

In the last move of the half Robertson found a good line and taking the ball on the burst barged his way to the posts for an easy seven pointer and a 9-22 half-time score.

Matt Smith added another penalty early in the second period but the hour was nearly up before the bonus point try arrived. From a lineout in the home 22 the ball was whipped to Griffiths on the opposite wing and he forced his way over at the corner.

Against the run of play, Murrayfield restored some pride with a breakout finished off under the posts by Marshall for an easy Bright conversion.
Lasswade reasserted their dominance in the last 10 minutes and added a further seven points when Sutherland grounded the ball after a ruck on the line.

Perthshire, who lie seventh with just two wins from ten, are Lasswade’s guests this Saturday. Kick off 2pm.