Rugby: Cockburn all set for new campaign

At the tail end of 2010-11 Dave Cockburn, a former Scotland B prop, guided Lasswade to not only the National Shield at Murrayfield but the National League Division One title.

The icing on the cake came with the individual accolade - he missed the presentation ceremony due to a tennis holiday in Majorca - and, true to form, "Coby" continues to show the Midas touch with Lasswade winning their own 15-a-side-tournament this week during which they came through a section comprising Hamilton, Watsonians and Glenrothes before defeating Currie 7-5 in the final.

Savouring that success Cockburn said: "The matches may have been played over an abbreviated period but we still did particularly well to win, especially the final.

"It may not have been a full strength Currie side but with (Scottish clubs internationalist) John Cox in the front row they tested our scrummage fully and the lads stood up well with Neil Clark settling the issue with an outstanding try from scrum half.

"Not only that but a few younger players really made the most of any opportunity.

"Winger Kyle Smith gets bigger and stronger every season and hooker Graham Cook continues to give excellent service while James Forrester came off the bench for the final when Jamie Blackwood was injured and slotted straight in."

Blackwood will be keen to be involved this weekend against the club that started him out in a senior rugby career that has also embraced Melrose, Watsonians, Edinburgh and Rotherham.

However, Cockburn is unlikely to take chances, even if league reconstruction means Lasswade cannot get promotion in 2011-12, especially with another tough pre-season friendly at Biggar before the season proper kicks off. "It's going to be a hard season with taking the Premiership Division Three title our target," said Cockburn. "But even before things are properly underway and, admittedly, in a reduced time format, we've emerged unbeaten against two Second Division teams and beaten former champions, Currie, which has got to be satisfying."

"The matches may have been played over an abbreviated period but we still did particulary well" dave cockburn