Peebles 33

Howe of Fife 17

LONG-serving Peebles player and coach Drew Moore was given the perfect send-off on Saturday.

The former scrum-half has been at the helm for the past four seasons as Head Coach..

And, although promotion hasn't been achieved, the Gytes club have become one of the most open and entertaining clubs in the national leagues.

In a tough encounter with Howe of Fife to bring down the curtain on Moore's tenure at Peebles, it was fitting that some flamboyant second half tries led to Peebles earning a deserved, bonus-point victory.

Peebles President Robert Hogarth was among the many to pay tribute to the retiring coach. He said: "Drew has been a great servant both as a player and as a coach at Peebles.

"He has done a fantastic job with a young group of local players and their attacking blend of rugby has been a joy to watch at times.

"If it hadn't been for a disappointing start this season we would probably be looking at promotion as Peebles are among the highest try scorers in any of the leagues.

"Everyone appreciates the fantastic job Drew has done since taking over as Head Coach and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Despite an early try from Ruaridh Clinch on Saturday Peebles trailed for most of the fairly even first half.

But following the break the Pees stepped up the pace and the pressure to run away with the match.

Clinch added a second try and the ever-improving Roddy Guiney also went over twice.

Murray Brown managed to also score as Peebles kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second period.

Although Greg Raeburn missed his first conversion, he was accurate with the remaining four.

The 33-17 scoreline over a team just behind them in the table is an encouraging for the Gytes faithful.

And the sixth place finish in National League Two will likely be bettered next season as the young Peebles team progresses further with a season behind them.