Rugby: Lasswade gearing up for another promotion push

Lasswade get their attempt to secure a third promotion on the spin underway tomorrow when they head to Irvine on the opening day of the National One rugby season.

And they go into the match against the Marress outfit on the back of a morale-boosting 28-0 friendly win over Premier Three outfit Haddington.

Last Saturday, tries from Niall Gray, Bernie Hennessey and Gavin Brown gave them the home victory against the East Lothian men. Ian Barr, president of the National Shield holders, said: "The Haddington result was a good one. and the players have enjoyed pre-season with coach Dave Cockburn. We are under no illusions, though, National One will be tough."

In the same division, both Murrayfield Wanderers and Edinburgh University start the campaign having seen the departure of last season's coaches Simon Cross and Dale Lyon respectively.

Wanderers start away to East Kilbride while the students face a tough test at National Two champions Greenock Wanderers. RHC Cougars and Livingston are also on the road to Garnock and Langholm respectively.

Meanwhile, North Berwick go into their National Three opener at home to Cambuslang following a good pre-season which was topped off with a friendly win over Earlston.

The East Lothian club eventually won East One last term after shaking off the challenge of Portobello and followed it up with a Regional Bowl win at Murrayfield. Dougie Laidlaw, Jake Boswell and captain Jamie Dove scored the tries in a 15-7 win over Earlston last weekend. Preston Lodge have augmented their squad following relegation last summer and new boy Greg Leitch heads into the match with Helensburgh having scored a hat-trick of tries in a friendly against Dunbar.

Ross High head off tonight for their tough opener at Caledonia One champions Orkney, while Forrester host Gordonians.