Peeblesshire News | Sport | Coach was delighted with effort

Saturday, 11th October, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 16th November, 2005 11:57

Coach was delighted with effort

Cambuslang 18, Peebles 38

NO wonder Peebles coach Bruce Macnaughton was chuffed to the gutties at his side's stirring performance at Coats Park on Saturday.

He'd just seen Captain Adam Clark lead his men to a comprehensive 6-try victory that obliterated memories of the previous week's disappointing Gytes' loss to Kirkcaldy.

`Yes, I'm absolutely delighted with the boys' performance - especially after last week's defeat,` Bruce said. `The team were outstanding today, the best they've played all season.`

A well-controlled scrum wheel by the visitors was an early indication of what would follow - as was a phase of multiple recycling that began with Skipper Clark and Colin Thatcher's blindside drive.

Then a crunching Willie Aitken tackle won Peebles possession and allowed Nisbet to keep the pressure on with a probing diagonal touchfinder.

An Iain Rodger line-out catch and Neil Cruikshank's support of the ensuing Scott McCormick break proved to be the prelude to the visitors' opening points as Njord Maciver (reputedly Border Rugby's answer to Teddy Sheringham) dived over for a I0th-minute pushover try from a 5-metre scrum shunt.

Nisbet added the conversion but was off-target soon after with a long-range penalty effort.

Back came the home side, but courageous defensive play by Bruce's Bravehearts in which Peter Whelan and Alan Smellie were prominent limited Cambuslang's reward to a 22nd-minute Andy Dick penalty.

Peebles swift riposte was a super Nisbet penalty touch from halfway to the right corner flag.

From Rodger's line-out provision, Whelan was driven over by the Peebles pack for an unconverted counter, the flanker's fourth league try of the season so far.

Ahead by 12-3 after 27 minutes, Thatcher was replaced by Neil Clark who - following a second Dick penalty - featured soon after with Cruikshank from Maciver's line-out supply.

Though fly-half Anderson and Bruce Hirstwood's link left saw centre Smellie thwarted inches from the line, the alert Keen was on hand to plunge over at the corner.

Despite the difficult angle, Nisbet's kick soared between the posts to give the visitors (who'd substituted the ailing Smellie with Craig Borthwick) a well-deserved 19-6 halftime lead.

Soon after the break, Peebles were obliged to replace both Rodger and Aitken with Ross Neilson and Colin Thatcher.

Loss of the visitors' own line-out ball then allowed the home-sters to attack but both Borthwick and Keen featured as Cambuslang were repulsed.

Back on the attack soon after however, Nisbet broke from deep on the right to link with Neilson and the ever-present Maciver.

Play then switched to the left flank where Keen powered over from the home 22 for a 49th-minute unconverted touchdown. 24-6 for the visitors.

Threatening interplay, in which Callum Anderson featured twice was foiled near the enemy line.

Not so Donald Anderson in 52 minutes who plucked a loose line-out ball off his toes at full gallop and raced over unmolested for a stunning solo try.

Peebles were 31-6 in front after Nisbet converted.

Nine minutes later he also added the points to a counter by Sandy Smellie, the Posso Powerhouse having only just replaced his skipper.

Though the home side had late consolation tries by Russell Johnston and Andy Scott plus a Dick conversion, you'd the feeling they'd not have been conceded had Peebles not persisted in playing attacking rugby to the final whistle.

The next game is at Dunfermline (2.00 KO at McKane Park). Let's hope Peebles' travelling faithful keep up the level of support the team enjoyed in the first half of their league campaign.

PEEBLES; K.Nisbet, G.Anderson, A.Smellie (C.Borthwick 40) and B.Hirstwood, G.Farmer, D.Anderson and S.McCormick; C.Thatcher (N.Clark 32), T.Keen, W.Aitken (G.Thatcher 44), A.Clark (S.Smellie 57) and I.Rodger (R.Neilson 42), N.Cruikshank, N.Maciver, P.Whelan.

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