Peebles 32

GHK 10

Allan Beveridge at The Gytes

FOLLOWING the defeat at Anniesland at the beginning of the season the Peebles coaches and committee did feel that they could reverse that outcome at The Gytes.

And last Saturday on a dry and even occasionally sunny afternoon they were proved right - and even added a try bonus into the bargain.

The damage was done in the first half of this National League 2 game as GHK paid their first visit to Peebles.

A Martin Cruikshank double and tries by Connor Blyth and Roddy Guiney, with Greg Raeburn adding three penalties and two conversions, put paid to the visitors.

It wasn't just the win that was important in this fixture it was also the manner of the play.

Peebles were three points up in the first minute when Raeburn slotted what was for him a simple penalty.

Five minutes later the sides were level when Danny Campbell kicked a similar opportunity.

A second Raeburn penalty put Peebles back in front the first of the four tries.

Rohan Maciver, who had another storming game in both defence and attack, won a good ball in his own half, before passing to Martin Cruikshank who took play into the visitors 22 before being brought to ground.

The Peebles support was brisk and the forwards quickly recycled the ball for teenager Roddy Guiney to force his way over for the try.

The second score was a contender for try of the season.

Peebles took a heel against the head in a scrum on their own 22.

With the supporters having their hearts in their mouths, the backs ran the ball and it went through the hands of Donald Anderson, Raeburn, Callum Anderson, Stevie Hamilton and out to the winger Connor Blyth. He galloped up the left wing before being faced by GHK full back Campbell, but Martin Cruikshank had made good ground from the full back position and Blyth drew the opponent before dispathching a try winning pass inside. Cruikshank touched down near the posts to be converted by Greg Raeburn.

At this stage of the game, and leading 18-3, Peebles were in all out attack mode.

Connor Blyth, on his return to first team duties, plucked the ball out of the air before it crossed the touch line way out on the left.

He immediately set sail for the GHK line, beating several defenders on the way, and once again he had that inside pass to Cruikshank 30 metres from the line for another good try. Raeburn stretched the lead to 25-3.

Just five minutes from half time it was Blyth again who got the crowd cheering.

Peebles forwards won another ruck in their own half to allow Callum Anderson to put in a longish kick. Blyth reached the ball before the GHK full back to dribble along the ground before picking up and running for that all important bonus point try.

Raeburn made the half time score 32-3.

The Peebles supporters were hoping for more of the same in the second period.

Although they did come close to adding to their first half tally Peebles did not manage to get over the visitors' line again.

This was due to some stubborn defence by GHK who also tried to attack when possible.

To their credit GHK continued to attack and midway through that second half they scored a try through captain Hugh Parker, converted by Campbell.

The next game is a Border League encounter against Selkirk on Thursday evening kick off 7.30pm.

The National League returns on January 7 when Ardrossan are the visitors for a 3pm kick off.