Confidence is so high at the Gytes at present that they will have no fear when promotion rivals Watsonians come to town tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.

It will be a stern test for the red and whites - and seven days later it gets even tougher when they play host to table toppers Selkirk.

Senior director of rugby Graeme Paterson has no doubts that the side is ready to take on two of the best teams in the BT National League Division One.

“We are in as good shape as we could be at the moment,” he said. “The team go out there now full of confidence and they know they are capable of competing well with every side in this league.” Peebles stayed in fifth place in the table after they overcame some sticky moments to emerge 26-17 winners against Jed-Forest at Riverside Park.

“It was satisfying in the end. A five-point return is always hard to come by in these Borders derby games,” said Paterson.

“I was a little disappointed that we did not properly execute our game plan in the first part of the match.

“It was only in the last 30 minutes or so that we really started to play with the precision I like to see.” Jed-Forest played for three-quarters of the game with just 14 men after Graham Robson was red-carded for stamping on Ryan McConnell in the 20th minute.

“If anything the sending off helped them to begin with,” said Paterson. “It seemed to galvanise them and it brought out the fighting spirit that we were expecting from them.

“It is hard to say whether there would have been a different outcome had they kept 15 men on the pitch but I suppose with a man short you are bound to tire towards the finish.

“We did not see the incident that led to the red card and none of the players really knew much about it either, it was just something the referee spotted.

“I am sure it was just borne out of frustration and Ryan was fine after the incident.” (Continued on page 41) (continued from back page) Paterson is expecting open rugby for the games against Watsonians and Selkirk.

“They will be hard games and we will have a serious think on the tactics we will adopt. But both sides like to play rugby and we are certainly happy to play that way.

“These are both sides that can exploit a gap and destroy you if you are not alert.

“But if you want to be top of the league these are the games where you need to be at your very best.” Watsonians, in third place in the table and three points better off than Peebles, have two former Lions on their staff - Simon Taylor as a player and Jason White as a coach.

“It’s pretty handy to have that sort of quality at your disposal - but it’s all about out players not being overawed. We must concentrate on doing the simple things well,” said Paterson.

Peebles have been boosted by the return of Scott McCormick to training but medical staff will carry out further checks before a decision is made on his availability.

“Scott won’t be rushed back and we won’t take chances. In his absence Liam Fraser has done well and offers us good cover,” said Paterson.