PEEBLES RFC resume their Booker Border League campaign with a home clash against former Scottish champions Melrose this Saturday.

And the action on the pitch won’t be the only attraction at the Gytes this weekend.

The venue will also be playing host to this year’s Borders Beer Festival. The three-day event kicks-off on Friday at 6pm. Peebles Director of Rugby Adam Moffat said: “Events like this help us connect with the local community. Hosting the Borders Beer Festival is huge for us.

“Last year we were able to hold it at the Social Club. That went well. But holding it at the Gytes this year will make it much more of an occasion and open it up to many more people.

“The festival element is the key part of that. We hope over the three days there will be something for everyone. Dads might enjoy trying a new beer, but there will be plenty of family entertainment too.” A bouncy castle, the infamous dunk tank and sumo suits will all be on display at various stages over the weekend. And music from Kris Barnett and other local bands will round Friday and Saturday night off in style.

But it is the beer that any beer festival worth the name will ultimately be judged by, and bar manager Andrew Shortreed believes he has found a winning line-up.

“Our main focus will of course be local beers, so we have an Armadillo from the Tempest Brewery in Tweedbank and a Exciseman’s 80 shilling and a Hopopotamus from Broughton. We will also have a few local ales coming in from Traquair. From Stewarts in Bilston, we have an Edinburgh Gold and a Pentland IPA. We will also have a few Belhaven beers; a Golden Bay, Belhaven 80 shilling and a Belhaven IPA.” Regular lagers, ciders and draft will be available over the weekend too, and a barbecue showcasing the very best local lamb and other produce will give the occasion a unique Borders feel.

“We very much see ourselves as a community-based club,” said Adam. “The Border League game is quite a big thing for us. But we’re also trying to engage people who wouldn’t normally come down to see a game of rugby. So there are a lot of family-based activities spread over the three days. “The touch tournament on the Friday night (kick-off 7pm) will appeal to the older guys. Saturday we’ve got the Colts playing, the U18’s, then we have the first team playing Melrose in the Border League, which is obviously a massive game for us. “Then, on the Sunday, it is very much focussed around the mini element of the club. For the primary school kids, this is their day. So we try and engage with them and their families.” As well as a family touch tournament on the Sunday, there will also be a barbeque, bouncy castle, dunk tank and sumo suits. The entertainment runs from 12noon to 5pm.

Adam added: “Hopefully it’s not just a case of them coming and saying 'my kid is going to do mini rugby for a few hours’ and then shooting off. We want the mums and dads to stay and soak up the atmosphere. We want the whole family to feel involved.”