Refreshment Stop
Lasswade take on water during a 62-35 Hawthornden defeat by Falkirk in Scottish rugby union's National League Division Two. In a real points (if not tackling) fest, the hosts crossed five times to Falkirk's nine. All but two of the 14 tries were converted. This was bottom-of-the-table Lasswade's sixth consecutive league reverse after opening the 2018-19 season in promising fashion with a 19-7 National League Cup first round victory over divisional rivals Howe of Fife. The Midlothian men trailed 47-14 after 55 minutes before three tries in 11 minutes put them into contention. Falkirk, physically bigger, brought up the half-century with a 74th-minute penalty before emphasising their superiority by going over in the last minute then again during stoppage time. Falkirk climb to fourth.
Match statistics:
Admission: £5. Programme: 20 pages (w/a). Attendance: 125. Lasswade 35 Falkirk 62 (HT 14-26). Scoring sequence: 0-5 (14mins); 0-12 (15mins); 7-12 (18mins); 7-19 (27mins); 14-19 (35mins); 14-26 (38mins); 14-33 (45mins); 14-40 (51mins); 14-47 (55mins); 21-47 (59mins); 28-47 (67mins); 35-47 (70mins); 28-50 (74mins); 35-57 (79mins); 35-62 (80+2mins).
Lasswade RFC's Hawthornden ground boasts some of the best facilities in Scottish club rugby union. The club moved to the Poltonhall site in 1974. Lasswade took a major step in 2003 by selling one of their three pitches to the local authority, which sought land for housing. Using the proceeds, the club swung the surviving two pitches through 90 degrees, levelled them and enlarged them to international size. Match-quality floodlights were provided, and a 350-seat stand - housing spacious dressing rooms and an air conditioned fitness centre - erected on the first XV pitch's east touchline. A sizeable car park was added, and the adjacent clubhouse impressively refurbished. The 'new' ground was opened officially in 2007. International teams visiting Scotland often use Hawthornden's facilities for training. It is far cry from 1921, when Lasswade RFC were formed. They played on a field west of Dobbies Road, Bonnyrigg, and initially changed in a Guide hut. An outside tap was used to fill a tub with cold water. Lasswade's HQ then became a pub, the Forresters' Arms (now the Laird and Dog). Hot water at last! During the Sixties, in particular, Lasswade improved steadily, on and off the field, before relocating to Hawthornden. At present, the club's first XV play in the third tier of Scottish rugby union, Tennent's National League Division Two.
Refreshment Stop
Lasswade take on water during a 62-35 Hawthornden defeat by Falkirk in Scottish rugby union's National League Division Two. In a real points (if not tackling) fest, the hosts crossed five times to Falkirk's nine. All but two of the 14 tries were converted. This was bottom-of-the-table Lasswade's sixth consecutive league reverse after opening the 2018-19 season in promising fashion with a 19-7 National League Cup first round victory over divisional rivals Howe of Fife. The Midlothian men trailed 47-14 after 55 minutes before three tries in 11 minutes put them into contention. Falkirk, physically bigger, brought up the half-century with a 74th-minute penalty before emphasising their superiority by going over in the last minute then again during stoppage time. Falkirk climb to fourth.
Match statistics:
Admission: £5. Programme: 20 pages (w/a). Attendance: 125. Lasswade 35 Falkirk 62 (HT 14-26). Scoring sequence: 0-5 (14mins); 0-12 (15mins); 7-12 (18mins); 7-19 (27mins); 14-19 (35mins); 14-26 (38mins); 14-33 (45mins); 14-40 (51mins); 14-47 (55mins); 21-47 (59mins); 28-47 (67mins); 35-47 (70mins); 28-50 (74mins); 35-57 (79mins); 35-62 (80+2mins).
Lasswade RFC's Hawthornden ground boasts some of the best facilities in Scottish club rugby union. The club moved to the Poltonhall site in 1974. Lasswade took a major step in 2003 by selling one of their three pitches to the local authority, which sought land for housing. Using the proceeds, the club swung the surviving two pitches through 90 degrees, levelled them and enlarged them to international size. Match-quality floodlights were provided, and a 350-seat stand - housing spacious dressing rooms and an air conditioned fitness centre - erected on the first XV pitch's east touchline. A sizeable car park was added, and the adjacent clubhouse impressively refurbished. The 'new' ground was opened officially in 2007. International teams visiting Scotland often use Hawthornden's facilities for training. It is far cry from 1921, when Lasswade RFC were formed. They played on a field west of Dobbies Road, Bonnyrigg, and initially changed in a Guide hut. An outside tap was used to fill a tub with cold water. Lasswade's HQ then became a pub, the Forresters' Arms (now the Laird and Dog). Hot water at last! During the Sixties, in particular, Lasswade improved steadily, on and off the field, before relocating to Hawthornden. At present, the club's first XV play in the third tier of Scottish rugby union, Tennent's National League Division Two.