Rugby: Lasswade looking to join elite in defence of Shield

The Midlothian outfit face Hawick YM in the middle-tier Shield final which they won last year by beating Greenock Wanderers. And since knockout rugby began in 1996 only three teams - Boroughmuir (Cup), Morgan (Bowl) and Aberdeen University (Plate) have managed back-to-back victories.

"We take every game as it comes and part of the secret of any success is enjoyment because it's not do-or-die," said Hennessy, a South African-born centre who played professionally with Rotherham and was part of the Watsonians cup-winning team of 2006.

"But at the same time it is a tribute to the people running Lasswade that the players want for nothing in terms of back-up. Facilities are tremendous."

That is part of the reason, says Hennessy, why Lasswade have had three consecutive promotions and four in five years and will play in Premiership Division Three next season.

But he admits it was a "huge" decision to leave Watsonians three years ago.

"I had a chat with the chairman, Ian Barr, who convinced me of a three-year plan to reach the Premiership.

"At times early on I admit it was a bit frustrating to encounter the type of mistakes being made I didn't usually experience with Watsonians.

"It was my wife who told me to accept that for some it wasn't the end of the world to lose a rugby match but from starting out I have noticed phenomenal growth in skill levels based on a lot of hard work, so much so that our trip to Murrayfield last year should ensure nobody is intimidated by the occasion this time round to meet a Hawick YM side who we played twice last season, winning one and losing the other.

"This time round they have had an outstanding season in going through National League Division Two unbeaten so it is going to be a great occasion with both teams keen to run the ball." Among those the 32-year-old Hennessy, who was once attached to Natal Sharks, tips to exploit the wide open spaces are wingers Niall Gray and Kyle Smith. "As a backs coach as well as a player it is a pleasure to be assisting youngsters like them who are keen to listen and learn while up front prop Dale Robinson and flanker Richard Borthwick are keen to take a lead from our head coach, Dave Cockburn." Clearly it is going to be more difficult for Lasswade to maintain their Murrayfield tradition next season in the Premiership Cup, but Hennessy is already looking forward to that challenge.

"Count me in for next season, definitely, and with so many players aged under 25 it is going to be interesting to see just how far this team can go especially now that we have back-up in the form of a junior section."

Meanwhile, the Edinburgh Northern club stage their annual sevens, sponsored by Blyth and Blyth, at Inverleith Park on Saturday when president John Alden will use programme notes to appeal to city council bosses for extra support.

Northern had to play away from home between mid-November and mid-March due to drainage problems which have resulted in the number of pitches for the tournament cut from four to two with a subsequent drop in entries and the cancellation of a popular veterans' event.

Writes Alden: "These are difficult economic times for all and we appreciate that the upkeep of Edinburgh's Public Parks is a difficult challenge but I would like to use this welcome note as plea to encourage more investment to maintain the city's parks and recreation facilities to a suitable standard.

"Small community clubs such as Edinburgh Northern cannot survive when our 'home ground' is out of action for over half the rugby season."

The popularity of Northern, who finished a comfortable third in East League Division Two, is reflected in a line-up which includes visiting teams from Cumbria (Millom) and Shetland as well as local rivals.