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Hamilton ............ 38 Lasswade ............ 15
Anthonie Malley
Hamilton consolidated second place in the BT National League 2 table with a comfortable win over Lasswade at Laigh Bent.
The victory moves the Bulls five points clear of Dumfries Saints, in second place, before they travel to leaders Kirkcaldy in a crucial clash this weekend.
In a classic game of two halves, Hamilton built a substantial firsthalf lead, and defended resolutely in the second period.
Straight from kick-off the Bulls showed their intent, with some bustling runs, but Lasswade also showed their menace, with some good tackling keeping them at bay.
Hamilton took the lead with a good surging move of their own.
A great turn-over in the home 22 was fed wide and Gregor Brodie launched a kick down the park.
Craig Inglis chased hard and scragged the visitors’ full-back, ball popped loose and Ross Jamieson scooped it up to score between the posts, with Andy Wilson converting for 7-0 after as many minutes.
A classic trademark multi-phase attack spawned the Bulls’ second try.
The ball sped left and right, with Josh White and Richie Maxton bursting through.
Finally, quick hands put the ball wide to Ross Inglis, who squeezed in at the corner, with Wilson slotting the conversion for a 14-0 lead.
Lasswade enjoyed a better spell and put the home line under sustained pressure.
After multiple pick-and-drives, Kyle Smith burst through to open their account, although the conversion attempt drifted wide.
Hamilton’s pragmatism continued when skipper Mark Wallace opted for goal points from a midfield penalty award; Andy Wilson split the posts for a 17-5 lead.
Playing the game in the visitors’ 22 generated another Bulls try.
Craig Inglis caught a poor clearance kick on the full, drew the cover and put brother Ross in for his second touchdown.
Once again, Wilson added the goal points with a stunning kick from the touchline for 24-5.
As the half-hour approached, Hamilton notched their bonuspoint try, and it was a thing of beauty.
Crush made one of his typical breaks, selling dummies and dancing off both feet to race clear. Wilson added, for him, a straightforward conversion, and at 31-5 the five league points looked safe.
Another spell of intense Lasswade pressure earned the visitors a short-range try by Jamie Graham, but again the kick went wide.
Wary of a Lasswade score early in the second half, Hugo Crush made the result certain.
From the first second-half lineout Hamilton won slow ball and the young scrum-half was under pressure, but raced downfield and scored the try, with Wilson slotting the conversion for 38-10.
By that point Lasswade could only grab a four-try bonus point, but credit to them for giving everything they had in trying for that.
They used the wind to play the game in the home half and the Bulls’ defensive abilities were given a thorough examination.
The defensive line held strong under intense pressure, but by the hour-mark there were a few Bulls running on empty.
Lasswade continued to pummel the line and eventually Mark Wilson battered his way over.