Peebles 23 Kelso 12

IN a dour game amidst a fine Autumnal afternoon at the Gytes, Peebles beat Kelso in the basement battle of National League 1.

Both teams desperately needed the points in a bid to start moving away from the relegation zone.

These two sides met just three weeks ago with Peebles leaving Poynder Park with a losing bonus point.

On this occasion all that Kelso collected on their travels was a turnip from Jim Currie's clubroom raffle.

Kelso were on the offensive early on and they were rewarded with a 15th minute try.

Centre Ewan Ford broke through the Peebles defence to eventually be brought down close to the 22.

But as the ball was being recycled Ford had made his way back into the line to go round for a try in the corner.

Andrew Skeen was wide with his conversion.

Greg Raeburn reduced the lead shortly afterwards with a penalty.

And the same player edged Peebles in front on the half hour with another penalty.

Just before half there was a lengthy stoppage as Kelso captain Chris Riddell had to be stretchered off with suspected concussion.

Greg Raeburn also had to leave the field with a hamstring injury.

From the resumption Peebles earned a scrum deep in Kelso's 22. Kieran Brown p[icked up from the base to run out to the ruight and switch with Callum Anderson who darted through to the left for a Peebles score.

Mitch McGahan's conversion attempt drifted wide.

But Peebles had a 11-5 lead at the interval.

The home side made a positive start to the second half with both Ryan McConnell and Kieran Brown making good runs.

McConnell, who has earned the tag Rhino, looked dangerous with every break. he had an excellent game around the loose and also with his throwing in and hooking.

McConnell was ably assisted during his drives by Brown, who regularly made good ground with the ball.

The other forwards, however, must provide better support so that they can enjoy better recycling, something that is coming.

It was McConnell who continued the Peebles momentum straight from the restart. He had a couple of storming runs and made ground into the Kelso territory.

Peebles were awarded a penalty, which was kicked to the corner flag.

The lineout was won and the the ball passed along the reshuffled back division, where a two on one should have resulted in a try. Andrew Wilson, now at full back, did go over the line but he was held up.

From the resultant scrum Richard Harrison burst up the blind side to add the five points.

Kelso did hit back and caught Peebles napping with a quick tap penalty. The ball was sent out wide and Mark Wilson scored the try. Skeen's conversion made it 16-12.

Peebles began successfully driving the lineouts.

And in the 74th minute a catch and drive from the 22 forced Ewan Ford to collapse the maul. A penalty was awarded and the Kelso player yellow-carded.

Another catch and drive, and another collapsed maul saw Keiran Dunbar follow his team mate into the sin bin.

Peebles elected to take the scrum and were awarded a penalty try as the Kelso scrum disintegrated.

McGahan's conversion made the final score 23-12.

It wasn't exactly Champagne rugby but nobody in Peebles was caring.