Peebles 27

Lasswade 7

Allan Beveridge

at The Gytes

THERE was no bonus point but it was still a good win against a team who were second from the top.

And it took a great team effort, from number one through to 19, to secure the victory.

Greg Raeburn, as well as scoring most of the Peebles points, was outstanding in attack.

The defence wasn't bad either with several players making some telling tackles, none more so than the determined Rohan Maciver.

Credit must also go to the small band of snow-shifters who turned up at 9am on Saturday to make sure the game could go ahead.

Attempts had been made for a Friday evening kick off as well as an early one on the Saturday, but the visitors declined, creating a clash with the Scotland game.

But, in the end, it was the rugby on the Gytes pitch which will be remembered.

Peebles had been beaten in the away game in Midlothian at the start of the season, and they were aware of the ruck and maul power the Lasswade pack possesses.

Shifting the ball quickly proved the perfect tactic for opening up the visiting defence.

Raeburn edged Peebles in front during the second minute with a penalty.

Only a good lineout steal by Ross Brown prevented Lasswade's large pack responding as they heaped on pressure.

Brown's steal allowed Donald Anderson, Jamie Menzies and Callum Anderson to run clear and kick into the Lasswade 22.

Peebles continued to keep the visitors pressed back and from a lineout Raeburn weaved his way through the defence to touch down near the posts.

The 11th minute conversion gave Peebles a 10-0 advantage.

A Raeburn penalty a few minutes later stretched the lead to 13 points.

For, what seemed a long period of time, the visitors exerted a great deal of pressure on the Peebles line with some good close-quarter rugby.

As the 40 minute mark passed Lasswade kept possession for a further five minutes before Jamie Graham finally crashed over.

Andy Bell's conversion took the half time score to 13-7.

Midway through the second half Ryan Hall managed to dribble the ball along the wet surface before winning the 50 metre race to touch down.

Raeburn made it 20-7 with the kick.

Lasswade continued to try to keep the ball tight with big runs coming off the back of rucks and mauls, but they came up against a good Peebles defence.

With the game in the closing stages Peebles were rewarded for their defensive efforts with a final seven points.

Callum Anderson made another good break, being brought down just five metres short, with Richard Harrison on hand to collect the pass and score between the posts.

Raeburn again added the conversion for 27-7.

The win was a good warm up for this weekend's away trip to leaders Kirkcaldy, who are known to be another forward-orientated team.