Preston Lodge 15

Peebles 20

Allan Beveridge at the Pennypitt

HAVING won the cup game at the beginning of the season 41 - 40 at Peebles, the Gytes men knew this was going to be another difficult game against Preston Lodge.

Only one place and six points separated the teams before the match.

It was a still calm day on the banks of the Forth and Peebles played up the slope at the Pennypitt ground in the first half.

It did not start too well, with home team were in front after only six minutes when stand off Robbie Griffin who controlled the game stepped inside the Peebles forwards on 10 metre line.

He outpaced the defence and scored almost between the posts.

His half back partner Bryan Walls easily added the conversion.

From the restart Peebles were immediately awarded a penalty by Alex Pratt - one of only a very few female referees.

Greg Raeburn kicked to the corner. At the lineout Peebles were going for the catch and drive but in the process knocked the ball forward.

The home team were reduced to 14 when in the 14th minute when hooker Johnston had been guilty of throwing a punch.

This reduction in their ranks seemed to encourage the home team who went further ahead only five minutes later when Walls landed a penalty. However as the game progressed the Peebles men rallied and got into a rhythm which saw some good running and handling.

On 25 minutes a Greg Raeburn penalty which was kicked into touch, and on this occasion a very good catch and drive by the forwards saw Dalton Hall crash over the whitewash.

Raeburn added the conversion and later a penalty to level the score on the half hour mark.

Peebles took the lead just before the interval with Donald Anderson making a good break to chip the ball over the defence.

Stevie Hamilton was onto the loose ball and picked up to sprint in and scored the try. Raeburn again converted.

Only two minutes into the second period Dalton Hall was injured.

He was replaced by Roddy Guiney, who is still eligible to play for the Colts. He carried the ball well and he tackled well.

Another change not long into the second half saw Willy Aitken back in the front row for Peebles. Murray Johnston also replaced Donald Anderson

Throughout the second half both teams tried to play rugby.

For Peebles, Cal Anderson was just short of the line with one good break and he did have a few of these throughout the match.

Into the last quarter, Stevie Hamilton made a great break from his own half.

As he sprinted towards the line, the home defence was closing in on him.

The supporters in the stand were sure he would beat the defenders to the line but he obviously did not agree and about five yards from the line he threw a bad pass which went into touch.

In the 68th minute of the game the referee yellow carded the two scum halves.

With only three minutes to go the East Lothian team narrowed the scoreline.

The referee awarded them a try despite the ball being dropped by the prop in the process of touching down.

The Peebles lead was slender as the conversion was missed.

As the game went towards injury time Raeburn landed another penalty to secure Peebles the win.

Tomorrow another big away game awaits, as Peebles travel to Biggar for a 2pm kick off.

Biggar came close last week to beating GHK so they will be up for this contest.

Come on you Peebles supporters lets make the short trip to our near neighbours and give the Peebles lads some encouragement in what looks likely to be another close game.