Peebles 15

Dumfries Saints 15

By Allan Beveridge

at The Gytes

With only one league point separating the two teams it was always going to be a close encounter at the Gytes last week.

Peebles were short of a number of players through suspension, injury and a stag party, however the lads who filled these voids each gave a very good account of themselves and the coaches will have difficult decisions to make in future weeks.

The game started with Peebles playing towards the town on a bright sunny afternoon.

But the first 10 minutes of this game was not so bright for the home team who barely saw the ball and found themselves defending.

Craig Goldie the visitors loose head prop was a big unit and he was difficult to stop as Dumfries played open rugby and they were excellent in that early period at keeping possession.

They probably should have taken the lead when their backs spurned a big overlap and were forced into touch.

Possibly against the run of play a Greg Raeburn penalty put Peebles in front and as the half progressed Peebles were coming more into the game.

Short of second row Richard Harrison at No 8 took several good takes in the lineout while his brother Jack, playing his first 1st XV start of the year, was difficult to stop when he got his hands on the ball.

Peebles stretched their lead when Ryan Stuart brushed off several defenders in the visitors 22. Scrum Half David Wills had made a good break from the loose before off loading to Stuart who scored from 15m. 8 – 0

On the half hour mark Dumfries had a four-on-two situation but not for the first time they fluffed the opportunity to score.

Just before half time The Gytes men had two good runs. Scott Stoddart playing at Full Back made a 50m run from his own 22 before the referee adjudged a forward pass. David Collins could also have scored had a pass to him been good after very good play by the Peebles backs. Greg Raeburn appeared to have scored a try but after the referee had a close look the penalised the Peebles No 10 for a double movement.

Thirty seconds into the second period the visitors reduced the Peebles lead when second row James Clyde ran in from the Peebles 22 to score a good try which rocked Peebles. The conversion was wide. If that was not a bad enough start to the half Peebles lost Murdo Anderson with what looked like a bad ankle injury and a hospital visit was necessary.

The visitors drew level when John Carlisle kicked a penalty to make it 8-8 and it was the visitors who took the lead with only five minutes remaining. That man James Clyde scored the second Dumfries try with another strong run from the home team 22. Carlisle slotted the conversion for 8-15.

It looked like a losing bonus point was the only thing Peebles were going to get out of the game but they soldiered on and threw everything into attack.

Dumfries were penalised for a high tackle and Greg Raeburn put in a good kick to touch in the visitors 22. Harrison won the throw in but the forwards were penalised and a free kick given to Dumfries for the Peebles forwards holding Harrison in the air for too long.

Dumfries kicked to touch Peebles again won the throw and this time they had several drives back into the Dumfries 22 before full back Jack Curries put in a long clearance.

The ball was picked up by the Peebles backs well into time added on and Douglas Voas juggled the ball before off loading to Jack Harrison. He once again took on the opposition and stepped his way through the defence. He looked as if he was going to score in the corner but he got the try under the Dumfries posts to give Greg Raeburn an easier conversion. The referee then blew for full time.

Tomorrow Peebles are playing away to Stewarts Melville with a 3pm kick off.