Rugby: Lasswade tame Cougars to progress in National Shield

Holders Lasswade eased through their preliminary round in the National Shield on Saturday, prop Dale Robertson grabbing a hat-trick in the win over RHC Cougars.

The Midlothian men went through to a round one tie with Marr in January after a 36-5 victory over the Capital outfit at a windy Hawthornden.

Not often do props go over for three tries in one match, but Robertson did so to set his side up for the positive result.

Bernie Hennessey and Gavin Brown were also amongst the tries.

It was not the prettiest of matches, but Lasswade were effective and were pleased with the way firstly James Elliot and then Sam Foster filled in at scrum-half in the absence of Neil Clark.

Young hooker Joe Taylor, back at the club after a spell at Boroughmuir, also impressed when coming off the bench for a run out.

Forrester are out of the event though after going down heavily 46-8 at home to Stewartry.

In the other tie played on Saturday Garnock won 20-18 at Gordonians.

And in National Three Orkney jumped above Preston Lodge into second place with a hard fought 19-15 home win over Cumbernauld in a rearranged fixture.