Marr 34

Peebles 29

Allan Beveridge at Fullerton Woods

THE disappointment on the faces of the Peebles players and coaches said it all.

This was a great performance by the entire squad - a performance that could easily have resulted in victory.

With the disappointment comes hope, as the Peebles lads took away two very valuable bonus points from this tough fixture on the banks of the Clyde.

Peebles have moved out of the relegation zone, albeit the two teams immediately beneath them - GHA and Aberdeen - have games in hand.

The trip to Troon was long, due to an accident on the motorway near Glasgow.

And the journey looked to have taken its tool as the visitors were 17 points down in as many minutes.

Two converted tries for the home team, playing in front of a noisy support, made it look like it was going to be a long afternoon for the three Peebles supporters who made the journey west.

As the game entered its second quarter the Peebles men appeared to acquire their skill levels of recent weeks.

Clinch, playing on the left wing, made a great run up the line and was unlucky to get tackled inside the home 22.

From the ruck, good hands were shown by Cockburn, Donald Anderson and Cammy Pye before the ball was back with Clinch to score the opening try for Peebles.

However, this resurgence appeared short-lived as Marr added another try. The stand-off gave a sharp inside pass to the wing forward and the rugged forward was unstoppable from close range. The added conversion made the score 24-5.

There was no gloom in the Peebles ranks and after more good work by the Peebles centres, the ball was transferred out to Donald Anderson before prop James Cockburn burst over for the touch down.

And just before half time it was the other Peebles prop, Corey Togia, who scored following a super break by Ross Brown on half way.

Greg Raeburn's conversion made the score 24-17.

Peebles silenced the partisan crowd on half time when they scored their fourth, and importantly bonus point, try. This time it was hooker Ryan McConnell who got the try. Peebles won a lineout on the left and the backs ran right. The ball returned to the left and into the hands of McConnell, who touched down wide.

Ten minutes into the second half Peebles won a scrum on half way. Kieran Brown picked up at number eight to feed Donald Anderson. He passed onto Steven Hamilton, who was two on one with the Marr winger. The ball was fed inside to Callum Anderson in copybook style but as the ball came to Richard Harrison, he was caught ten metres short of the line.

Marr lost two forwards to yellow cards - but with 13 men they still scored as the referee and touch judge appeared to lose their way. Marr had been awarded a penalty and kicked to touch when there was a difference of opinion between the two packs. Following the scuffles Marr were awarded a scrum inside the Peebles 22 and went onto score under the posts.

Peebles were soon back in it with Clinch coming off his wing to take a short ball from Raeburn to step through a small gap and outpace the defence from 40 metres. Raeburn's conversion made the score 31-29.

With five minutes remaining Marr extended the lead to five points with a penalty.

Peebles pushed for a winning try in the closing stages and it was the home team who were happy to hear the final whistle.

Tomorrow Peebles travel to Raeburn Place to face Edinburgh Accies in the last league game of the season.

A good support would be welcome - and check the club board as plans are being drawn up to take a supporters' bus.