Opening day loss for Livi

Lasswade too strong

National League Div Three Livingston’s season got off to a disappointing start with defeat against Lasswade.

Despite the final outcome, the Almond Park side battled hard and gave a decent account of themselves against a team widely tipped for a quick return to Division Two.

Livi passed up an early chance to get their noses in front when a long-distance penalty was missed and it was a home error that led to the first try of the game.

Graeme Cook was the beneficiary of a loose pass as he ran from the halfway line to touch down in the corner.

Bernie Hennessey soon made it 10-0 with Lasswade’s second try before Livingston enjoyed a spell of pressure.

However, they were unable to get on the scoresheet and a fierce defensive effort was eventually undone when the referee awarded a penalty try just before the break.

Matt Smith’s conversion, which proved to be the last kick of the opening half, made the gap 17 points at the break.

It took barely a minute into the second half for the visitors to grab their bonus point for a fourth try when Jed Smith pounced after a clearing kick was blocked with Daniel Kerr adding the extra two points. Livi held firm until the final quarter of the game, when the floodgates opened with Lasswade adding a further four tries.

Hennessey notched his second with a pick up from a scrum on the 22.

Substitute Chris Blackie ran riot with three scores in the final 17 minutes to seal a comfortable opening day win for the promotion favourites.

Lasswade’s larger and stronger pack proved to be the difference as the forwards’ continual dominance eventually proved too much for Livingston.

Despite the outcome being decided, Livingston kept fighting and they were eventually rewarded for the efforts when a driving maul resulted in them breaking their duck with the final action of the contest.

Second row Gary Wilson collected the ball and drove over in the corner to score a well deserved try.

Kerr Anderson slotted the conversion through the posts with the last kick of the ball.

It was a tough test for the home side in their first clash of the season, but they can be pleased with their efforts with some unlucky breaks and some important players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions.

They’ll be looking to get themselves off the mark when they make the short trip east to Royal High Corstorphine Cougars on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm.