Published: Friday, 11th December, 2009 11:54am

Granite crumbles under Peebles power

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Aberdeen Grammar 0 v 30 Peebles

WHILST there was hope, there was no real confidence in a win at Rubislaw on Saturday, made worse by the torrential rain on the way to Aberdeen for the much lower numbers of travelling support that normally attends the Scottish Hydro Premier 2 games.

It was just too far to go to lose said one.

This was soon dispelled as Peebles started really well, confident in set piece and the loose as the Tweed Homes men dominated play, especially in the set scrum and lineout.

Peebles played the conditions really well dominating territory with good kicks from Neil Warnock and the close in driving power of the forwards as they kept the ball tight.

Although Aberdeen started brightly, their very short early pressure was quickly turned on its head and it took only 2 minutes for the first chink in the Aberdeen defence to appear as they conceded an early penalty in front of the posts which Donald Anderson duly slotted.

Despite the Peebles dominance, Aberdeen narrowly missed a penalty on 17 minutes before sustained Peebles pressure gave Donald Anderson a successful second attempt.

With a 6 point advantage, the travelling support became more vocal egging Peebles on. The home side pushed hard and Donald Sangster earned a 10 minute rest after creeping offside at a ruck in the 22 in front of the posts.

Surprisingly Aberdeen sensing a weakness (which turned out to be non-existent, ran the ball instead of taking the easy three.

Peebles held out, no doubt helped by the ever more vocal assistance to the referee from the Peebles end of the stand.

A Peebles drive to the corner resulted in the ball going out to the wing, then after a series of forward exchanges back to Neil Warnock who dove over for the opening try near the touch line on the 36th minute.

Three minutes into stoppage time, and strong forward drives, saw yet another Neil Warnock break through the defence, nearly reaching the line.

When held up he freed the ball to pop to James Oakes who dove over the line. Donald Anderson added the extras to bring up an 18 point advantage at the break.

Ryan McConnell had already put in a few bullocking runs, and when he crashed through the defence on the home 22, he nearly made the line.

Stopped short he found Donald Sangster on his shoulder who went over for the try which was converted by Donald Anderson 12 minutes into the second half.

A yellow card for the opposition did their cause no good as Peebles kept up the pressure which paid dividends on 22 minutes.

A kick ahead was chased by James Oakes who was then tackled without the ball, however Donald Sangster was again in the right place and dived on the ball which had now crossed the line to claim his second which was also the final score of the game; but with the bonus point in the bag, the job was all but done.

Peebles. Willie Aitken, Ryan McConnell, Adam Clark, David Harvey, Matt Thompson, Sandy Smellie, Donald Sangster, James Oakes, Fraser Strachan, Neil Warnock, Neil Hogarth, Craig Borthwick, Steve Gee, Craig Hunter & Donald Anderson. Replacements David Brown, Neil Clark, David Anderson & David Brown.