PEEBLES kicked off the new campaign in National League Division One with a defeat against Watsonians at Myreside tonight (Friday).

They fell behind after less than three minutes when James King dived over for the try on his debut, converted by David Blair, also making his first competitive start, to put the home side 7-0 ahead.

And only some resolute defending prevented them going behind further as the home side threatened to run riot.

Watsonians, coached by former Scotland stars Marcus Di Rollo and Simon Taylor, gave six new players their competitive debuts. In addition to King and Blair, Scott McLeod, Mark Bertram, Tom Johnson and Roman Denonain were also making their first starts.

Peebles, under new coach Ewen Robbie, were keen to put recent heavy defeats to Melrose and Selkirk in the Border League behind them. But they were forced into an early reshuffle after losing Greg Raeburn to a twisted ankle.

And, just after the visitors started to make up some ground, Watsonians extended their lead with two tries in five minutes.

Ewan Miller scored in the 26th minute after the home team broke down the wing. Blair added the conversion to double the score, 14-0.

Scott McLeod, a summer acquisition from Hawick, added a third try in the corner just after the half hour. But Blair missed the conversion to give Peebles some respite at 19-0.

And then, in the 38th minute, Miller ensured a bonus point for the home side when he scored his second and Watsonians' fourth, which this time was converted by Blair.

But Mitch McGahan slotted over a penalty for Peebles from the Watsonians' 10 metre line to make the half-time score 26-3.

Watsonians were first out the changing rooms after the break and continued the second half as they started the first.

Johno Swiatek had to be alert to deny Scott McKean in the corner. But Watsonians pounced on the poor kick out to add to the scoring. Miller grabbed his third try in the 50th minute, which was converted by Blair, to put the home side up 33-3.

Just after the hour mark, Peebles were awarded a penalty in front of the Watsonians posts as a reward for their persistence. They opted not to kick the points and instead ran the ball and the move paid off as Neil Hogarth scored the visitors' first try of the match. McGahan added the conversion to bring the score back to 33-10.

However, moments later he was injured and had to be carried off – adding to Peebles' injury woes.

Watsonians finished the game a man down after Jonathan Goldring was shown a yellow card. But, by that stage, the match, as a contest, was over.

Watsonsians: Rory Steele, Mark Bertram, Scott McKean, James King, Scott McLeod, David Blair, Reiss Cullen; Martin Christie, Tom Johnson, Ali Marsh, Torrie Callander, Roman Denonain, Jonny Neary, Ewan Miller, Andrew Joseph. Replacements: Darren Miller, Nathan Borel, Jonathan Goldring, Euan McKirdy.

Peebles: Greg Raeburn, Jack Harrison, Callum Anderson, Neil Hogarth, Conor Blyth, Mitch McGahan, Donald Anderson (c); Willy Napier, Graham Turner, Ross Brown, Johno Swiatek, Graham Hogarth, Lynton Brinck, Andrew Muir. Replacements: Gav Pringle, Andrew Brown, Kenny Clyde, Ruaridh Clinch, William Brown.