Two local Borders sides, who are both struggling at the moment, met on Saturday at The Gytes.

This was never going to be a pretty game of rugby, and that certainly proved the case. Both sides looked nervy from the outset, and you just knew there was not going to be much between the sides.

However, The Pees gained their first win of the season, much to the home crowds delight. Though not many of us in attendance have any fingernails left, after this bruising encounter came to a very nervy end, with both sides desperate to take the win.

Peebles were forced into making some changes prior to kick, of with Neil Hogarth injuring himself at work, and Jake Sarex also picking up an injury.

Dale Clancy was moved to Hogarths wing, with Walsh taking Clancys place at 13, Clyde took Sarexes place at 5.

Early on Peebles gained a penalty for Kelso infringing, and up stepped Warnie from almost 40 yards, to stroke a beautifully struck ball between the sticks.

Drew Moore was always in about the fringes at the rucks, willing to burst through or get the ball away safely. Jacko was his usual robust self at 7, and for someone of his stature, he sure puts himself about, always first to arrive at the breakdowns. As the game continued, Kelso began to gain the upper hand, with some nice possession rugby. From quick ball at the back of the scrum Kelso gained a penalty, about 15 yards out from the Peebles posts. Chester slotted home to make at three a-piece Pees were then penalised for boring at the scrum, but Kelso missed the kick. Kelso then began to exert more pressure, as they took the game forward to Peebles.

Davey Paton attempted to stop the rot, and from a loose ball pick up, he drove forward only to lose the ball going to ground. Kelso again surged forward, and it took a fantastic clearance from Warnie for Peebles to clear their lines.

Peebles then stepped up their game, Dave Paton again driving forward. Peebles then won a lineout, and from quick ball, they picked up and drove forward, through Drew Moore.

The referee blew for a previous Kelso infringement, having let play continue until Peebles lost the advantage. Warnie converted the penalty to give Peebs a slender 6 - 3 lead.

Kelso then took the game right back to Peebles, and were looking dangerous only for the move to break down for crossing.

As Peebles fought back Kelso were penalised for being offside at the breakdown, giving Peebles a penalty almost on the halfway line. Nathan Mackay took the penalty in place of Warnock, as it was out of his range.

Unfortunately, though accurate, the kick never quite had the legs to make the distance.

Peebles then stormed forward again, Kelso had Chester steaming in at the side of the ensuing ruck, and the ref did not have a difficult decision to make when issuing his yellow card. Warnock however missed the penalty.

As Peebles still tried to take the game to Kelso, there was a wee infringement made by Kelso, for what can only be best described as, inaccurate use of the boot! Kelso then fought back in what was turning into a battle up front.

As Kelso went forward, Jacko put in a tremendous try saving tackle, as Peebles back division were being sucked in leaving Kelso with an overlap.

Some scrappy play developed in Peebles own 22, as Kelso attempted to make ground. Peebles cleared their lines, with a kick up the park, but the pack were to hesitant in trying to get to the ball.

Peebles pushed on up, and from some driving mauls and rucks, Kelso conceded another penalty, for holding on in the ruck. Pees went 9-3 ahead from Warnies conversion to lead at half-time.

As the game resumed Andy Brown came on for Rory Milne, and Martin Cruickshank made a welcome return to the wing. Not bad considering he only arrived back in Gods country on Wednesday! Welsh went off, and Dale took up his usual position at 13. Kelso immediately pressed forward. Davey P was injured at the breakdown and had to leave the field. Forrester replaced him.

Peebles then managed to get themselves going forward through Dale Clancy who kicked the ball ahead for a chase, when Pees had a three man overlap. Kelso regained possession and went forward in numbers.

Peebles defence was again sucked in, when they committed too many players to the breakdown, and the wingers strayed inside, leaving an overlap for Kelso to touchdown in the corner, through Selkirk. Luckily for Peebles the conversion was missed, and Kelso were right back in the game, now only 9-8 down.

After some ping pong back and forth, Warnie took a fabulous pass 30 yards out, and kicked an amazing drop goal, much to the delight of the crowd to make the score 12- 8 to the Pees.

The hard working Rory Milne then came back on for Andy Brown. Kelso pushed the accelerator to the ground, and Peebles had to tackle hard to keep them at bay.

Kelso gained a further penalty which was converted by Chester to claw back the defecit to 12-11. This set up a grand finale, which left the Pees faithfull tearing their hair out, as they watched through their open fingers!

Peebles drove up and up, and were camped for ten minutes on Kelso's line with a series of rucks, mauls, lineouts and penaltys, resulting from persistant Kelso infringements. Kelso were penalised six times in the resulting phases of play.

Kelso finally cleared their lines to surge up the park. However, Peebles rather than just put the ball into touch, and end the agony for the crowd, tried to play some rugby. Luckily for Peebles, Kelso never took the opportunity to attempt the drop goal, which was begging to be kicked. Peebles eventually saw the ball away and the ref blew up. Much to everyones relief.

Two teams had almost fought to a standstill. It was not pretty stuff, and at times one couldn't bear to watch. However our season is up and running! Much to the relief of everyone. Adam Clark, Jacko, Drew, and Rory Milne all had good games, as did the ever reliable Neil Warnock.

Things can only get better, and it is great to see Martin Cruickshanks back, which will give us other options out wide.