Peebles 52

Gordonians 12

Allan Beveridge

at The Gytes

AS bad as Peebles were at Lasswade in the cup the previous week, the opposite was the case during Saturday's league clash against Gordonians.

The impressive home team ran in eight tries and landed six conversions during a dominant display.

The signs of vast improvement were shown in the opening quarter with some eye-catching handling.

Both forwards and backs were eager to get their hands on the ball as they tested the visitors' defence.

Despite the promising start it took until the 20th minute for Peebles to open the scoring.

Captain Ryan Stewart, who was returning to the fold after injury, touched down following good work and good hands by Greg Raeburn and Ross Thomson.

Peebles added a second try a short time later.

From a five-metre scrum, Kieran Brown set up a ruck, allowing Jamie Menzies to drive over the line.

David Collins was next on the scoresheet as he collected a good pass from Donald Anderson to sprint clear from 40 metres out.

Peebles managed to secure the bonus point try just before the interval.

From a line-out close to the five metres line the ball was spun out to Raeburn who side-stepped his way over the line.

With all four conversions kicked by the stand-off, Peebles took a 28-0 lead in with them at half time.

And they didn't take their foot off the gas after the interval.

Stewart ran in for his second try of the game before Murray Brown notched up a brace.

Mark Munro also went over for the home team.

Gordonians, to their credit, continued to fight in the closing stages and they were rewarded with two tries in the final five minutes.

This was a much better display by Peebles, who had been second best the previous week.

The victory takes Peebles back into promotion contention - but there are several difficult games on the horizon.

These difficult games start on Friday evening with a Border League game against Hawick at The Gytes, kick off 7.30pm.