Biggar 9

Peebles 23

Al Stewart and Allan Beveridge at Hartree Mill

THAT Peebles deserved to win this match is not really in doubt.

They were a wee bit more savvy as well, employing clever tactics which caught Biggar out.

They also outscored Biggar by two tries to nil, albeit the last was an interception from half way and which simply required a sprint to the line.

But few of these factors were post match talking points and fewer still will be remembered.

Instead, this game will be recalled for the fact that there were no fewer than six yellow cards, an unprecedented five for Biggar and one to Peebles.

The referee also blew for over 30 penalties.

The opening exchanges were, as always, fairly frantic as the sides took time to weigh each other up.

An early penalty miss by Aird Jardine after two minutes was a let off for the visitors but another award minutes later saw him on target to get the scoreboard turning.

Greg Raeburn responded with his own penalty on the 10 minute mark.

Robbie Lavery became the first player to be shown yellow.

Jardine kick a second penalty to edge the hosts back in front

Peebles made a rare error in kicking directly into touch from the restart but Biggar were unable to capitalise and the visitors were soon back in attack. Raeburn kicked to the corner and with lineout ball won a blindside move should have seen Peebles notch the first try but a poor pass was knocked on giving Biggar some respite.

Five minutes before half time David Paterson became the second Biggar player to be shown yellow this after he allegedly was guilty of slowing play down.

Despite being reduced in numbers the home side turned around in front.

The second half was barely under way when Ewan Stewart became the next player to be sin-binned.

And Peebles scored their opening try just a minute later.

Andy Muir picked up from the base of the scrum to drive for the line. The ball was quickly recycled with Calum Lecky taking a short Donald Anderson pass to barge his way over the try.

Raeburn converted for a 10-6 lead.

Biggar managed to get back to within a point, this after Peebles were penalised and Lecky was shown yellow.

Jardine kicked the penalty to close the gap to one.

Now back to full strength, some enterprising play saw Biggar exert pressure on the Peebles line.

But again the visitors cleared before winning another penalty which Raeburn kicked to extend the lead.

As the clock ticked on so Biggar found it ever more difficult to keep possession and put the Border side under any real pressure.

For their part all Peebles needed to do was keep Biggar in their own half and this they did pretty well.

Biggar skipper Andy Dunlop was next to see yellow, and yet again Raeburn took advantage by extending the Peebles lead to 16-9.

There was however still just one score required to tie the match and Biggar countered again, but as play was moved right Campbell's pass was intercepted by Raeburn who galloped home for what was a deciding score.

His conversion took Peebles clear at 23-9.

There was just enough time for Campbell to dive in to a tackle and become Biggar's fifth player to visit the sin-bin.

Man-of-the-match was the tireless Jamie Orr for Biggar with centre Callum Anderson taking the nod for Peebles.

Many thanks to match sponsors, the members of the Lanark and Peebles Blackface Breeders Association.

Tomorrow Peebles are at home to GHK with a 3pm kick off.