IT was probably a season most at Peebles Rugby Club would like to forget, but the mood at Friday's annual dinner was certainly uplifting.

Despite the disappointment of relegation an air of optimism filled the clubrooms.

And the speakers - Cliff Livingstone, George Jack and Ian Heard - provided plenty of laughs as well as food for thought to keep spirits high.

Guests were also treated to a surprise speaker on the night, former Scotland flanker John Hardie.

Jim Currie from Peebles RFC was delighted with the evening's entertainment. He said: "We may have been relegated but the night was far from being all doom and gloom.

"We have a lot of good young talent coming through and the future for the club is bright.

"Our speakers were excellent and there was plenty of reminiscing as well as looking to the future."

Haddington's Cliff Livingstone took the company down memory lane to the halcyon days of sevens at Hay Lodge Park.

Club captain Donald Anderson supplied a fitting Reply.

Former SRU president, and co-founder of Biggar Rugby Club, George Jack gave his honest assessment of modern rugby and the changes brought in by professionalism.

And recently retired referee Ian Heard, who hung up his whistle after 24 years, was frank with his take on the modern game.

Greg Raeburn was named the 2015/16 Player of the Year with the Most Improved Player award going to Murdo Anderson.

Mr Currie added: "The talk now is all about gaining promotion straight away. We are in a tough league with the likes of Biggar and Kelso but we do have ambitions."