From all at Anniesland good luck to Dave in his new role

Lasswade look to future with new coach Cockburn

BILL LOTHIAN
AMBITIOUS Lasswade have swooped to land one of Scottish club rugby's most decorated coaches as they bid to climb the national leagues next season.
The Midlothian outfit have persuaded former Scotland B prop Dave Cockburn that his coaching future lies at Hawthornden after assisting Glasgow Hawks to the 2007 Scottish Cup.

Cockburn, an former Boroughmuir and Corstorphine player, has an accomplished cv; he coached Edinburgh under-19s to four district titles, acted as scrum adviser to Scotland under-21s and won titles with Watsonians (Division One) and Peebles (Division Two). "Coby" also mentored Scotland under-18 A to a win over England.

Said Cockburn: "Lasswade have the potential to reach the premiership from national league division three helped by magnificent facilities including an artificial grass pitch suitable for rugby tackling."

And Lasswade back rower Gavin Brown, who returned to Lasswade last year after enjoying trophy success with Watsonians, feels Cockburn's arrival can galvanise a club who finished fourth in Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division Three in 2007-08.

"Coby has huge experience and everything is in place for a big push including sponsorship deals already agreed with kit manufacturers Samurai and car dealers AF Noble."

Starting with a match against a Scottish Select to open their ground, Lasswade maintained fine form all through a season in which they won 14 league outings and held Premiership giants Stirling County to 7-26 in the Scottish Cup last season.

This article was posted on 28-May-2008, 08:28 by Hugh Barrow.