THE latest from behind the scenes at the Gytes, home of Peebles Rugby Club...

THE latest from behind the scenes at the Gytes, home of Peebles Rugby Club...

FIRST TEAM: Tomorrow (Saturday, May 2) the Peebles 1st Sevens squad – sponsored by FIRST XV and rugbystuff.com are on the road to Poynder Park for the Kelso Sevens in the Kings of the Sevens series. The first tie kicks off at 1.30pm.

On Sunday, the squad head down to Haugh for the Earlston Sevens in the Kings of the Sevens series – first tie kicks off at 1pm.

Last Saturday, Peebles travelled down to Milntown for the Langholm sevens. Drawn with Melrose in the first round, Peebles lost by 24–7. And, the next day, Peebles played in front of their home crowd at the Gytes in the Kings of the Sevens series.

Drawn against Howe of Fife in round one Peeble progressed to the quarter final to meet a President’s Select with a 21–12 win. A win by 33–10 against the scratch side saw Peebles into the semi-final to play Gala. However, Gala proved to be just too strong for Peebles winning the semi-final 24–10 and went on to win a pulsating final with Watsonians by 29–25 in extra time.

COLTS: The Colts – sponsored by BARC Coach Hire – travel to Riverside Park for the Jed Thistle Sevens. The final event in the Semi Junior Kings of the Sevens. The first tie kicks off at 1.30pm.

A depleted Colts sevens squad travelled to Philiphaugh for the Selkirk Youth Club Sevens in the Semi-Junior Kings of the Sevens series last weekend. Drawn with Gala Wanderers in round one, the Colts effectively had just six players having lost one to injury and, with no reserves due to late call-offs, lost the tie 36–12.

UNDER 16s: Forget the Old Firm, Forget El Classico because when it comes to a local derby there is only one that matters in the calendar for Borders Rugby, at any age group, and that’s Peebles v Gala.

So far in the league this season the honours had been shared and bragging rights would go to the victors last Sunday at Dunbar in the Final of the U16s Edinburgh & Borders District Plate – Peebles v Gala Red Triangle!

With the exception of a couple of injuries this was a full squad of Peebles players, sponsored by BARC Taxis, who set off focused and determined to bring back the silverware.

Their game plan was kicked back into touch however as a feisty Gala side took the game by the scruff of the neck, knocking Peebles off their stride and the maroons were maybe unlucky not to take an early lead.

Clearly this approach from Gala came as a huge shock to the Peebles lads and their first half play was slightly disjointed and scrappy in places. However once the initial nerves vanished the Wee Pees started to play constructive rugby, with the middle of the pitch being superbly marshalled by Robert Harrison, George Freeman and Roddy Guiney. The half time whistle saw Peebles come off with a 12–5 lead.

Whether as the result of an invigorating speech from the coaches or maybe via strategic substitutions and positional changes the second half saw a completely different Peebles side take control of the match. The pack dominated almost every play and the loose balls seemed to drop into a striped jersey. Tries were coming from all angles but this wasn’t one-way traffic by any means with Gala adding another 14 points to their tally. The final score saw Peebles emerge as the tournament winners by 39–19 with Roddy Guiney, Robbie Renwick, George Freeman and Keir McDermott all picking up tries and George Freeman adding to the tally with a few conversions in difficult conditions. Congratulations to both teams for contributing to a great final and thanks to Dunbar RFC our hosts for the day.

No Man of the Match award this time, more a Team of the Match – well done Peebles U16s.

CLUB NEWS: Members are reminded that the annual general meeting takes place on Friday, May 29 at 7.30pm in the Eastgate Clubrooms. Nominations are invited for the following executive committee posts: president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, director of senior rugby, director of junior rugby, business director, social director and facilities director. All nominations must be submitted in writing to the hon secretary by May 8.