Ardrossan 14

Peebles 56

Allan Beveridge

at Memorial Field

PEEBLES cruised into the quarter finals of the Scottish National Cup on Saturday with a well-deserved win on the west coast.

Hosts Ardrossan, who are leading the league below Peebles, fancied causing an upset.

And following the poor display the previous week at Newton Stewart there was concern among Pees supporters that the long bus journeys were taking their toll.

However, by half time Peebles had the tie in the bag with a commanding 35-7 lead.

Callum Anderson scored the first try early on after a great run by Ritchie Reed who was stopped just short of the line.

The try scorer's brother, Donald, added the conversion.

Only a few minutes later Stuart Hunter, one of the team's smaller forwards, took a great lineout ball and made 30 metres towards the home line, before being brought to ground.

Once again quick recycling led to the try, this time Murdo Anderson touching down.

Anderson again converted for a 14 points advantage.

Only a dubious knock-on decision by the referee prevented Peebles scoring their third try a few minutes later.

But it wasn't long until they did make it 21-0.

A turnover ball near half way allowed scrum half David Wills to race up the left touchline to pass for winger Scott Stoddart to go under the posts.

Donald Anderson's accuracy with the boot continued - and he added his own try on the half hour.

Reed carried the ball well into the home 22 before Anderson collected the pass and side stepped several defender to touch down between the sticks.

The successful conversion made it 28-0 for the visitors.

The same players combined again a few minutes later, this time it was Reed who scored the try.

The conversion made it 35-0 as half time approached.

There was still time for the home team to add their own points to the scoreboard with a try after a good catch and drive.

Peebles rang the changes at the interval.

Despite the new positioning and personnel Peebles continued to play well with Richard Harrison and Stuart Hunter making an impact in the back row.

Wills added another try, out-running the defence and Donald Anderson again converted.

Kyle Woods managed to breach the Peebles defence with a home try midway through the half.

But in the closing stages the visitors added to their tally with scores from Harrison and David Collins - both converted by Donald Anderson.

Peebles are rewarded with an away quarter-final against Lasswade in January.

While this was a good win, more importantly it was an encouraging team effort with all 19 players contributing.

Peebles were hungry for this win and it showed in their rush to win the loose ball.

Watching their tackling and their running with ball in hand was worth the long journey.

It's back to league duty tomorrow when Kirkcaldy will be the visitors to The Gytes. Kick off is at 3pm.