Rugby: Cockburn has Lasswade set to fire on two fronts

LASSWADE rugby coach Dave Cockburn has urged his side to keep their feet on the ground as they bid to add Scottish Hydro national league promotion to a Murrayfield cup final appearance.

The Midlothian outfit clinched a first-ever trip to "headquarters" at the weekend by defeating Whitecraigs 14-10 and now look forward to playing Greenock Wanderers on 24 April for the Shield as part of a jamboree headlined by Melrose's Premier Cup Final with Ayr.

However the target set by Cockburn is not only to lift silverware but win their three remaining league fixtures, starting this weekend at home to Highland in order to claim second spot in National League division two behind, ironically, Greenock Wanderers.

"The Cup Final trip is a very, very welcome bonus but we have worked hard as a club to give ourselves the chance of promotion and are too close now to let that slip," says the former Boroughmuir and Scotland B prop, who helped coach Glasgow Hawks to the Cup three years ago.

Matters are in Lasswade's own hands as they require a total of 13 points from home games with Highland and Hawick YM as well as a trip to Waysiders/Drumpellier to leapfrog Glasgow Accies and go up, meaning a four-try bonus point on one occasion is essential.

"Hopefully it works in our favour that every match is vital as we approach a Murrayfield final that is particularly satisfying after the competitions were revamped," adds Cockburn in a reference to the fact knock-out competitions are split into separate categories for premier, national and regional league teams.

No longer can a side lose early on and then return to Murrayfield in a subsidiary tournament. "I think the knock-out competitions are now more honest and I have every bit as big a buzz as I had playing on the international pitch either with Boroughmuir or Edinburgh not to mention coaching Hawks when we beat Edinburgh Accies in 2007."

In pursuing their "double dream" Lasswade have had to call upon a remarkable 45 players while the route to Murrayfield involved a preliminary tie against Highland before overcome Hillfoots, Linlithgow, Ellon and Whitecraigs, who play one league higher.

Of the personnel used Cockburn puts great emphasis on blending experience and youth.

"Gavin Brown, Bernie Hennessey and Carl McWilliam have all been to Murrayfield with Watsonians but, of those making a first trip, watch out for open-side flanker Richard Borthwick, utility forward Dale Robertson and scrum half Neil Clark, who has had a few man-of-the-match awards recently.

"Also, Craig Adams' move back to us from Haddington has been crucial because, so far as ball-playing props are concerned, he is capable of operating at a much higher level."

Adding to Lasswade's optimism is the fact they are the only team to have beaten Greenock in the league.

"We beat Greenock by retaining possession and being very, very aggressive.

"Fortunately we have various types of game-plan and I am pleased that, as the season has progressed, we've developed some extra steel," said Cockburn.

As for climbing still further, Cockburn is looking to Currie for inspiration.

"Currie came out of regional rugby to reach the top and we can do the same."

Meanwhile, president Ian Barr said: "We aim to use this success to motivate even more people in Lasswade to get involved in rugby."