Postponed from November this was the first of three relegation deciders for Lasswade with the other two following in April. For the players, as amateurs, they don’t feel completely obliged to keep the date free. So it was that Lasswade travelled to Galloway losing 6 regulars from their first fifteen to a stag weekend.
Having propped up the table for much of the season, Newton Stewart had just 2 wins from 11 games and desperately needed the points.
In spite of weather reports to the contrary the game was played on a firm pitch in bright sunshine but with an influential wind blowing parallel to the sidelines.

Playing into that wind Newton were on the scoreboard with just 2 minutes gone with a converted try beside the posts. From the restart, interplay between backs and forwards took Lasswade back to the NS line and after a few rucks, Blackie touched down and Metcalfe converted.

NS needed just 4 minutes to take the lead back with another converted try to make it 14-7.

After that opening flurry of scores, points became more difficult to find. Lasswade was slightly on top for territory and possession and with five minutes of the period left were rewarded with a penalty try as the home scrum collapsed twice in front of their posts. NS almost immediately broke the tie with another converted try on the stroke of half time.

With the wind at their backs, the tide turned completely in Newton’s favour. Four tries and three conversions in the first fifteen minutes of the half put the result beyond doubt and more. It was little consolation that Lasswade had the last say when Lane crossed in the corner for a final score of 47-19.

Four teams, Lasswade, Berwick, Preston Lodge and Newton Stewart are all at risk of filling the two relegation spots. Lasswade sits out all of March while the other three all have catch-up games, some against each other. Lasswade supporters will be taking a keen interest in these results.

Lasswade’s next league fixture is at home to Berwick on 5 April at 3pm. followed by Falkirk at home the following week. Lasswade may or may not still need, or have, a say their own fate by then.