Published: Monday, 9th October, 2006 14:21
Great start, poor finish by the Ps
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A RESOUNDING seven-try win may have been the outcomeof Peebles’ previous visit to Stoneyhill back in January.
But Saturday’s seaside trip produced a different kettle of fish altogether as the home side prevailed by three tries, a conversion and a penalty to Borders counters by centres Duncan MacDonald and Alan Smellie plus a Donald Anderson conversion.
A result that maintains the two clubs’ status quo in the Premier III table, Musselburgh in second place, Peebles in ninth.
“We may have finished second last season, but we didn’t think for a moment that the other Division III clubs would content to stand still,” remarked Peebles team manager Robert Hogarth.
“So it’s no surprise that Musselburgh are such an improved team.”
“You’ve to remember, too, that Peebles lost seven players out of last season’s squad and we’ve had to bring replacements in – a lot of whom have only played two or three games at the most. We just haven’t gelled yet.”
He added, “So of course it’s not surprising that – at the moment – we’re not playing as well as we were towards the tail-end of last year.
“Despite our opponents’ high league position and them having home advantage,” Hogarth went on, “the Musselburgh game was definitely there for the winning.
“The gist of our problem against them was that, because we were toiling to get good long kicks downfield, we were forced to play far too much rugby from our own 22.”
“The majority of time we were either dropping passes or getting tackled in dangerous situations.
“Whichever way, we were putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure.”
But the first team to feel the pressure following the opening whistle blast from referee Marc Williams (reportedly Turriff’s only resident Welshman ) was Musselburgh.
After fly half Leitch was caught in possession by Peebles No 7 Ollie Fahey, the resultant scrum saw MacDonald waltz through a tattered home defence for a second-minute score.
Despite the conversion’s simple angle, Forsyth’s kick was charged down.
Though some aimless clearance kicking followed along with a persistent fondness for kamikaze attacks from deep within their own territory, the Peebles’ goal-line remained unsullied until the 23rd-minute.
Prior to that, a thrilling 40-metre dash by No 9 Hamer was only denied a try by Wells’ tap tackle while a MacNish line-out take saw Thomson infiltrate a Peebles backs move from the opposite wing.
Musselburgh’s equalising score then followed from centre Cook thanks to full back Jamieson’s link.
And though The Gytes men dominated the final 15 minutes of the opening 40 minutes, through Anderson’s link with the enterprising Hogarth plus breenges by hooker McKinnon, skipper Clark and lock Sandy Smellie ( playing his second full game in 24 hours ), the visitors failed to add to their five-point tally.
But they did so only eight minutes into the second period when inspired Anderson trickery brought a try for the supporting “Smudger” Smellie which Anderson goaled for a 12-5 Peebles’ lead.
Back came the homesters, however, and a 62nd-minute Jamieson try narrowed the gap to 10-12 before a converted Boyter try put Musselburgh 17-12 in front soon after.
A Neil Clark drive out of defence saw Evans’ clearance bring relief. It was temporary, however, as Stewart added a late penalty for a 20-12 finish.
Sadly, the visitors a simple penalty chance for a close-finish bonus point in injury time when they mysteriously opted to run the ball instead.
Hogarth has the last words : “We’ve got to play a more structured game – we’ve got the ability to do so.
“I’m convinced that once the team’s settled down and played together a bit more then the results will improve.”
Peebles: N. Hogarth (M. Thomson 40), G. Forsyth (C.Evans 63), A. Smellie (C. Borthwick 73) and D. MacDonald, M. Thomson (C. Evans 24 and N. Hogarth 45), D.W. Anderson and R. Hamer; C. Thatcher, G. McKinnon, N. Clark, S. Smellie (A. Clark 65) and R. MacNish, A. Clark (captain) (S. Aitken 60), S. Aitken (P. Whelan 50) and O. Fahey. Replacement: A. Brown
Musselburgh 20,
Peebles 12
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