Peebles 44

Preston Lodge 7

Allan Beveridge at The Gytes

PEEBLES' progress in BT National League Two continued on Saturday with a win over a good East Lothian team.

Preston Lodge began with a bang, preventing the Pees from touching the ball during the opening exchanges.

The visitors looked strong and full of running.

And it came as no surprise when they went over for the opening try after just three minutes.

Brian Walls converted for a 7-0 lead.

Only some good cover tackling prevented Lodge's Alan Whittingham adding to the tally after making an interception.

Peebles worked their way back into the game and were unfortunate not to add a try of their own with ball not going to hand in the final pass.

The home scrum was also functioning well.

But a bizarre yellow card for Callum Anderson on 22 minutes was a blow for the Gytes men.

Despite being a man down Greg Raeburn reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Raeburn slotted a second kick a few minutes later to make it 6-7.

And, back to a full compliment of players, Peebles score their first try just before half time.

Ryan Stewart made a great driving run before Scott Stoddart finished well.

Raeburn's conversion gave the Pees a 13-7 half time lead.

Following the interval Peebles took complete control of the game.

Just two minutes after the restart Willy Brown took a clean lineout catch to allow the forwards to drive forward and feed Murray Brown, returning after injury, to crash over. Raeburn stretched the advantage of 20-7.

On the hour Peebles scored the best try of the afternoon.

From a scrum on the Lodge 10 metres line the ball was passed to Donald Anderson, then Greg Raeburn before Callum Anderson managed to link with Scott Stoddart to go over.

The successful conversion made it 27-7.

With 15 minutes remaining on the clock Peebles earned the bonus point as Kenny Clyde drover over from close range.

There was still time for James King and Roddy Guiney to add to the try count in the final 10 minutes.

Raeburn was on target with one of the conversions.

This was a good all-round performance from Peebles - all the more satisfying after a shaky opening 10 minutes.

This weekend Peebles begin the second half of their league campaign against Lasswade at The Gytes.

Peebles are certainly playing better rugby than when the teams met in September, and hopes are high that the scoreline can be reversed.

Kick off at The Gytes is 3pm.