Lasswade 31 Gordonians 47
In only their second season in National League 2 Gordonians have refound the form that got them there last year. With seven wins from eight they are clear leaders at the half way stage. Lasswade’s hold on Division 2 is still in jeopardy. Although fourth from bottom, only 2 points separate them from ninth place. Player availability problems continue and stretch the club’s player resources.

The gap between the two sides soon became apparent. Solid in the set pieces up front and a well-drilled set of backs meant they dominated the first half hour in both territory and possession. They needed ten minutes and a long pass to an unmarked Brown out wide on the wing to open their account but too wide out for Burgess’ conversion attempt. Five minutes later Deans finished off a catch and drive and just another five minutes saw a strike against the head at a scrum on the Lasswade line and stand-off, Burgess darted over the line. Burgess was on target with these two taking the score to an unanswered 0-19.

In a rare incursion to the Gordonians 22 a series of rucks and mauls in front of the posts gave Wilson the opportunity to claw on back beside the posts for a straight forward conversion by Hall.

That was only e brief respite as Lennox added the visitors’ bonus point try and Burgess’ conversion brought up the half time score of 7-26.
Just 4 minutes into the second half, Troup, at scrum half with a Burgess conversion extended the lead to 7 33.

The hour was near and Lasswade earned a second try starting with a short range line out and ended by Orsi in the corner, out of Hall’s range.
Gordonians took the reins again and a line out ploy benefitting Troup and 10 minutes later a kick and chase won by Ryan with two Burgess conversions took the score t0 12-47.

The last 10 minutes saw a revival by Lasswade. An interception and a 75 metre race gave Wilson his second try and a slightly more hard-worked period gave Lamont a try in the corner. In the dying minutes, MarK Wilson completed his hat-trick and claim on Lasswade’s Player-of-the-match. Two conversions by Burgess gave a somewhat more respectable 31-47 score-line and a four try bonus point.

Thanks to losses for Preston Lodge and Berwick and to Newton Stewart being on its void week, Lasswade stay in sixth place but only two points separate the bottom four.

This Saturday Lasswade travel to Glasgow High/Kelvinside (KO 2pm) for the last League game before Christmas and the start of a five week break in the league programme.