On a sunny afternoon Livingston RFC kicked off their BT National Division 3 campaign at Almond Park against Lasswade RFC who were relegated from Division 2 and with Livi narrowly avoiding the same fate this was an opportunity for both teams to prove themselves in this opening encounter.

Livingston kicked off and found themselves on the front foot in the opening stages of the game were awarded a penalty and opted to have a shot at goal, the kick was missed and Livingston came away empty handed.

This encouraged Lasswade into the game and from the next phase of play a loose pass just in the Livingston half was snatched up by Lasswade prop Cook who showed good pace was able to score in the corner, conversation was missed.

The visitors started to dominate and their forwards coming into the game their offloading at the tackle area was causing the home defence problems. The second try for the visitors came from a catch and drive at the line out close to the Livi try line and Lasswade number 8 Hennessey scored a try, conversation missed.

As the end of the first half approached the visitors continued to dominate and with Livi reduced to 14 men when prop Bryan Middlemass was yellow carded as the home defence collapsed a maul as it approached the try line, penalty try was awarded and conversation scored. Half time Livi 0 – 17 Lasswade.

Lasswade kicked off the second half and with the home side trying to find a way back into the game tried to attack from deep when an attempted kick upfield was charged down Smith was able to collect the ball and cross the try line to claim the bonus point for the visitors. Conversation was missed

Good defence and handling errors for both teams meant it was the 60 min mark before the next try from the visitors when a pick up from the number 8 from the base of the scrum on the 22 in which he charged over the line. With the kicking duties now taking over by Kerr the two points were added.

With the home defence showing little resistance to the Lasswade forwards the tries continued to be scored with sub Blackie scoring a hat trick of tries with 1 being converted by new kicker Kerr. Score now Livi 0 – 46 Lasswade

With full time approaching Livingston seized upon an opportunity to mount an attack following a mistake from Lasswade in their own 22 and quick hands from Kerr Anderson and Ross Barclay allowed Gary Wilson to barge over the visiting winger and score a try. Conversation was scored wide out by Kerr Anderson making the final score Livi 7 – 46 Lasswade.

Livi man of the match was Captain Jamie King who tried to lead his team from the front with many great tackles. On Saturday Livingston travel to Edinburgh to take on RHC where hopefully the club can recover from this opening defeat and be more competitive.