Lasswade 5 St Bowells 16

St Boswells and Lasswade were, respectively third and fourth going into this match and both within striking distance of the league leaders. For both sides it was, therefore, an “8-pointer”.

Lasswade completely dominated the first half in terms of both territory and possession but dogged defending and too many unforced handling errors kept their score card at zero. The visitors conceded penalties rapidly into double figures but of the two in kicking range the first scraped the wrong side of the posts and the second was used to set up a lineout inside the 22 but the visitors were the equal of the attempted catch and drive.

With just a few minutes of the first period remaining, on a rare visit to the Lasswade 22, Keddy converted a Lasswade failure to release after a tackle and slotted the only score of the half.

The second half started badly for Lasswade when their restart kick failed to go 10 metres and got worse from there on. Winning their scrum at the centre spot the St Boswells standoff’s well placed kick set up a home lineout just 10 metres from the home line. Possession from the lineout was untidy at best and allowed the visitors to keep up the pressure on the home line eventually forcing a penalty. A quick tap by hooker Hill allowed him the drive over close enough for a straightforward Keddy conversion.

Momentum was now with the visitors but Lasswade at least consolidated their defending and prevented any more tries. Another penalty for not releasing after a tackle allowed Keddy to stretch the lead to 13 points on the hour mark. Just four minutes later a repeat of this offence earned a yellow card and another three points to Keddy’s tally.

Lasswade safely gathered the restart and after a few attempts to run the ball out of the 22, put in a long clearance kick towards the left touchline. The St Boswells winger opted to keep the ball in play but his effort simply placed the ball directly in the path of hotly chasing Kyle Smith who gratefully accepted the tap down and had an unhindered route to the line.

Boosted by this score, the home side finally found some structure and fluidity and returned to dominate the last quarter hour but St Boswells defence still proved impenetrable.

This was undoubtedly a severe knock to Lasswade’s promotion prospects. Still in fourth place there is now a small tract of clear water between them and the leading three. The acid test, which Lasswade must pass, takes place this Saturday when they take on second placed Highland at Inverness. Kickoff 2pm.