Peebles 2nds 81

RHC Cougars 0

Allan Beveridge at The Gytes

CREDIT must go to the Cougars.

On the Thursday before this game they contacted Peebles to reveal they were struggling for players.

But rather than calling off, they decided to travel down from the city with a threadbare squad and play this Reserve League fixture.

With Peebles firsts' game being postponed due to opponents Aberdeenshire being unable to raise a team for the National League 2 clash, a good crowd turned out to watch the 'reserves'.

The average age of the Peebles Seconds would undoubtedly be under 20 - although that was lifted somewhat when 64-year-old prop John Swanson, who more than held his own, was introduced midway through the match.

The game was played in good spirits throughout.

The Cougars, who are made up of the more senior and experienced players from the RHC club, demonstrated sportsmanship despite it being a one-sided affair.

There was no sign of any foul or rough play, and the 17-year-old referee allowed the game to flow.

Peebles were good with fast breaks given great support from both the backs and forwards.

Straight from the RHC kick off Peebles ran in the first of 13 tries.

The city opponents were 7-0 down before any of their team had touched the ball.

Peebles piled on the points at regular intervals with good handling and good straight running.

Conversions were added to eight of the 13 tries.

And correctly the referee stopped the game with around quarter of an hour remaining.