Livingston 35 v Lasswade 24

Lasswade kicked off with the strong wind behind them, but it was Livingston who supplied all the early pressure, and were awarded with a couple of penalties ,and from the resulting line out the ball was collected by scrum half John Bruton who scampered through the Lasswade defence to touch down to score a try in the far corner ,it was not converted to make the score 0-5 to Livingston
Both teams were giving their all ,and penalties were awarded to both teams either for indiscipline or going off side at the rucks and mauls and on the half hour Livingston were awarded another one which was converted by the Livingston No.13 Gavin Douglas, to make the score 0-8, however this score was short lived as Lasswade were awarded a scrum ,the ball was fed out to their no.10 Finlay Talbot, who scored a try converted by their no.15 Niall Gray ,to make the score 7 -8. Livingston continued to pile on the pressure, but just as the line, beckoned from a kick through the ball was collected but knocked on, and from the resulting scrum the ball fell kindly to the Lasswade No9. Russell Gladstone who burst through to score a try which was not converted to make the score 12-8 for the home team ,Livingston were awarded a penalty on the 5 meter line just before half time and a certain try seemed on the cards but the final pass was knocked on ,much to the relief of the home supporters ,so the half time score was !2-8 in favour of Lasswade RFC.
The second half started like the first with Livingston, putting on all the pressure this was awarded by another couple of penalties one of which was converted by Gavin Douglas to make the score 12-11.
Livingston continued to put Lasswade under pressure and from a forwards drive No.8 Aaron Johnston, picked up at the back of the maul and drove over the line for a try, to put Livingston back into the lead of 12-16, Livingston continued to put Lasswade under a lot of pressure ,they were awarded with another penalty and from a good kick to touch by Gavin Douglas a and from the resulting line out the ball went down the line to No.10 Kerr Anderson who jinked his way through the Lasswade defence to score between the posts, this was converted by Gavin Douglas to make the score12-23, this seemed to be a turning point for all the wrong reasons firstly Neil Scobie was yellow carded for kicking the ball away then shortly afterwards Kerr Anderson followed him as he was yellow carded for going off side a decision which was rather harsh to say the least ,so Livingston were down to 13 players and the alarm bells were ringing . Lasswade were awarded a penalty ,which they scored from to make a score of 17-23 .After the kick off the ball was gathered by Livingston forwards and to show they are made of some sterner stuff, and playing with only 13 players they took the game to Lasswade and, with some great forward driving play by second row No.16 Gary Wilson who charged through the Lasswade defence to score a try which was not converted to make the score 17-28 and to secure a bonus point .Lasswade were not finished yet and with the 2 man advantage they kicked to the 5 meter line ,and from the line out Livingston knocked on and Lasswade were awarded a scrum on the 5 and despite some frantic tackling by the Livingston defence but with the numerical advantage they scored in the corner to make it a score of 24-28 it was not converted ,now that Livingston were back to 15 players Livingston continued to show their advantage and again after some great play between backs and forwards they attacked the Lasswade line and captain Aaron Johnston pushed his way through to score a try which was converted by Gavin Douglas, to make the score 24-35 to Livingston. This score remained at full time This was a good win as Hawthornden, as is not an easy place to pick up points but to secure the 5 and move up to 4th place on our own is no mean feat, and encourages us for next week’s home game against Howe of Fife who sit one place above us at 3rd, so come along and cheer us on Kick/Off 2PM.

Report by Ali Knox