Kirkcaldy 15

Peebles 8

PEEBLES' promotion hopes ended in Fife on Saturday against league leaders Kirkcaldy.

Howling winds and freezing temperatures made it difficult for both teams, and for long periods there was little in the match.

But a flurry of yellow and red cards during a bad-tempered second half determined the points would remain on home soil.

The home team started well and were rewarded for their early pressure with a driving maul which led to Danny Jennings crashing over.

But Peebles responded well enough with plenty of phases before Ryan Stewart went over from his team's own driving maul.

Although both teams were awarded their fair share of penalties, the swirling wind made sure points weren't easy to come by.

As the half hour approached Kirkcaldy got their noses back in front through another close-quarter forwards drive.

This time it was hooker Greg Wallace who touched down.

The bulk of the home pack earned another score before half time with the ball being shipped quickly wide for Jamie Moffat to go over.

At 15-5 it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Pees.

But a Greg Raeburn penalty on 50 minutes closed the gap to within one score.

What should have been an exciting climax to a game with two teams looking for promotion ended in tempers spilling over and little in the way of rugby being played.

Home lock Connor Wood was sent to the bin for an infringement.

Before he could return on the hour his team-mate Owen Bonner as well as Peebles flanker Richard Harrison were both sent off following a punch-up.

Kirkcaldy lost Matt Harvey to the bin for foul play just a few minutes later.

And Murray Johnstone's red card for an accidental stamp also reduced Peebles to 13 for the closing 10 minutes.

Neither team had been able to open up the defences during a disjointed second half and, despite no injury time being played, it looked unlikely if the Pees would have drawn level.

Peebles: R Clinch, J King, M Brown, C Anderson, S Stoddart, G Raeburrn, D Anderson, W Napier, R Stewart, J Menzues, R Brown, W Brown, R Britton, R Harrison & R Guiney. Reps: W Aitken, G Voss, D Wills, M Johnstone