Edinburgh Evening News reports

New facilities Wright stuff for Lasswade
BILL LOTHIAN
LASSWADE rugby club will be in carnival mood tomorrow with a series of matches to mark the opening of a new sports complex at their Hawthornden ground.

Former British Lions and Scotland prop Peter Wright, who will officially open the development which includes two state-of-the-art pitches, a grandstand and floodlights, has organised a Scottish Select team which includes a host of stars of yesteryear.

Among those due to turn out for the Select are former cap record holder Gregor Townsend, Grand Slam legend Sean Lineen, Five Nations Championship winner Stuart Reid and 1991 World Cup try hero, Graham Shiel.

It will be a special occasion for Wright as he credits Lasswade for helping launch him on the road to 21 caps for Scotland and a tour of New Zealand with the 1993 Lions, also achieved through a lengthy playing stint at Premiership Boroughmuir.

"What started out as a bit of a baby-sitting exercise on behalf of the club when I rolled up as a six-year-old for mini-rugby following in the footsteps of an older brother, turned out to be a lifelong association and I was delighted when Lasswade invited me to open a complex which reflects well on the club's vision," said Wright.

"Some years ago some stalwarts seized the opportunity to buy the land occupied by the club and without their foresight we might not have been rolling out the new facilities."

Club fortunes took an upswing four years ago when, according to secretary David Oliver, it was realised drainage problems meant radical action was called for.

"Following the vision of men such as Peter Burns, Joe Whittaker, Tommy Gray and Joe Owens we had some land to sell. Our president Ian Barr set the ball rolling with an approach to Midlothian Council and deals were done that will benefit others in the local sporting community.

"As part of the process we also have a fitness room and refurbished changing rooms."

Lasswade are understandably proud of the fact that despite upheaval, which meant playing all of last season at nearby Dalkeith College campus, they secured a promotion into the national leagues with a 100 per cent record. In addition a colts will re-start this season for the first time in five years assisted by development officer Mark Billingham who is also club captain.

Wright said: "It is extremely heartening to see Lasswade cultivating local talent without going down the road of buying in players. I'm sure it won't be too long before someone else emerges who can go on to represent Scotland and hopefully the Lions.

"For me it was a wrench to leave when, along with another teenage prop, Billy Knowles, our combined 32 years was younger than our 34-year-old hooker at the time. It was a great learning experience but I went with the backing of 98 per cent of the club and determined that if things didn't work out I could return; for me that is always important.

"My big break came when I was dropped at Boroughmuir to make way for Norrie Rowan returning from Scotland duty and while I was hacked off because I felt I was playing better I used the situation to make me more determined.

"That led to me emulating Norrie on a Scotland tour of Australia in 1992 when, as well as gaining a first cap, I took pride in knowing that it was possible for Lasswade to produce an internationalist."

Such respect cuts both ways which is why Wright, now an SRU national academy coach, will be welcomed into the bosom of his original club tomorrow.

• LASSWADE v Scottish Select kicks off at 3pm preceded by the over 35s playing a golden oldies XV and the Colts facing Biggar.

Lasswade: N Murray, N Grieve, M Armstrong, J Carmichael, A Elliot, S Purves, J Elliot, M Billingham, D Turnbull, D Robertson, C Pow, P Robinson, G Brown, D Hearn, R Borthwick. Subs. - O Wright, B McGregor, C Osinski, C Brown, M Dymond.

Scotland Select: R Shepherd, D Stark, S Lineen, D Stark, D Glasgow, G Townsend, G Burns, A Watt, J Hay, P Wright, C Afukuwah, R Maxton, F Wallace, S Reid, J Shaw. Subs. - A Roxburgh, I Fairley, S Scott, M Clapperton, D Wright, G Wright.

This article was posted on 3-Aug-2007, 13:53 by Hugh Barrow.