Peebles 41

Ardrossan 7

Allan Beveridge at The Gytes

THIS game was off to a cracking start and the Gytes crowd were immediately entertained with 14 points scored in the opening four minutes.

Peebles grabbed the first score after Callum Anderson made a 50 metres break for the forwards to quickly recycle and allow Conor Blyth to sprint in for the first of Peebles' six tries.

Greg Raeburn converted.

But from the restart, Peebles knocked on in their own 22.

The referee played advantage and with the ball in their hands for the first occasion Ardrossan went wide to the right and Robert Hunter scored in the corner.

Jack Anderson converted to tie the scores at seven-all.

The play settled down and although Peebles enjoyed plenty of possession and ran the ball at almost every opportunity they failed to add to their early points.

Raeburn on the half hour kicked a penalty for a 10-7 advantage.

This was quickly followed by a great solo effort from scrum half Murray Johnston.

Peebles won a lineout on the visitors' 10 metres line.

Man of the match Jamie Menzies tidied the loose ball and set up a ruck.

With the Peebles backs all set for another run at the opposition Johnston picked the ball from the ruck and darted inside the visitors back row and he managed to out pace the defence to score a very good try, which again Raeburn converted.

Just before half time Peebles were awarded a penalty in Ardrossan territory.

Raeburn punted into the corner, and despite making a mess of the lineout Peebles managed to retrieve the situation.

Under the Ardrossan posts Peebles put in a good drive in the scrum and Ross Brown, playing at blind side wing forward, caught the visitors' No8 in possession, ripped the ball and dived over the line for Peebles' third try.

Raeburn's conversion stretched the home advantage to 24 - 7 at half time.

In the 50th minute, Peebles scored that all important bonus point try.

Martin Cruikshank, playing his last home game for Peebles before he takes up employment between London and Paris, broke up the left touch line. He was tackled on the 22 before quick recycling allowed Raeburn to put in a delicate chip over the head of his opposite number.

He followed up by forcing the full back to carry over his own line and touch down.

Not many push over tries have been scored by the Gytes men but this they did.

Johnston fed the five metre scrum and the ball was heeled to the feet of No 8 Andy Muir who controlled the drive before securing that important try.

It was Cruikshank who managed the next try.

Once again the Peebles three-quarters were keen to run the ball. Callum Anderson made another break to race into the Ardrossan 22 and draw the defence before throwing a 'miss' pass to the supporting Cruickshank for a score in the corner.

Ten minutes before the end Andy Muir scored his second and Peebles' sixth of the afternoon after good work by the pack.

Raeburn added to his afternoon's haul with another conversion.

This was a good afternoon's work from the whole Peebles team with the backs and the forwards combining well.

It was a bonus point win but the two teams above Peebles in the league, Cartha Queens Park and Kelso also had bonus point wins.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is an important game for Peebles when they travel to leaders Kelso.

The game at The Gytes early in the season resulted in a draw but a win on this occasion would certainly help Peebles in their quest for promotion.