Peebles 24

Biggar 20

Allan Beveridge at The Gytes

A WIN in a local derby is always important but being a league game gave Saturday's clash even more significance.

And yet again fine, flowing rugby from both teams provided an excellent advert for summer rugby.

Peebles kicked off playing away from the town end and scored the opening try in the first minute.

Murray Brown made a break with his first touch of the ball to reach the Biggar 22, before off loading to Cammy Pye who scored under the posts.

Greg Raeburn's conversion gave the Pees an early 7- 0 lead.

Raeburn added a penalty to the Peebles score while Richard Peacock kicked three for Biggar as both teams took every opportunity to add to their tallies.

Peebles continued to press for most of the first half and were disappointed to be only one point ahead at the interval.

There was great tension among the Peebles supporters desperate to inflict defeat on their near neighbours and the Biggar travelling support were getting quite excited as they were now right on the heels of the Gytes men.

Biggar stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half.

Fast ball was shipped right after winning a lineout, with Douglas Notman and Ewan Sanderson combining well before the latter’s' looping pass was taken by winger Alistair Sinclair who won the race to the corner.

Peacock was unable to land the conversion but Biggar were in the lead at 14-10.

Peebles responded well by kicking a penalty deep into the Biggar 22.

From the lineout Raeburn, with the referee playing an advantage, chipped over the heads of the Biggar backs, but as he picked up the ball he was caught on the line.

And just five minutes later Callum Anderson stepped past his opposite number to feed Blair Lawrie who bundled across for a try.

Raeburn's kick gave the home team a 17-14 advantage.

Peebles finally opened up a gap on 62 minutes with Willy Brown going over following a number of drives at the Biggar line.

Raeburn converted for a 10 point cushion going into the closing stages.

Peacock added a further two penalties for the visitors - but Peebles held on for the all-important win.

Tomorrow Peebles make the first of a few trips to the west when the face newly promoted GHK.

There will be some spaces on the bus if any supporters want to travel.