GYTES GOSSIP
(PN 29 February 2008)
GYTES GOSSIP
Haddington Ahoy!
As the sole showcase for senior Borders’ rugby talent in the wake of
the Reivers’ demise, it’s a pity that the Borders Solicitors Property Centre
Border League should have to share weekends with Six Nations Internationals this
season.
(The next for Peebles is on March 7 – the Friday of the Calcutta Cup
weekend – when Melrose visit The Gytes.)
And of course the Borders competition status has also been diminished by
unavoidable weather disruption which meant for example that Peebles’ visit to
Jed on Saturday was the opening fixture of their BSPC Border League campaign
rather than their final one in pool A as planned.
In the event the Red-and-whites narrowly succumbed 27-31 to a Riverside
Park outfit that’s currently 5th in Premier II.
What makes Peebles’ display all the more praiseworthy was its
achievement in the absence of 6 regulars from the pack alone.
It’s some tribute too that 3 of the visitors’ four tries came from
that pack. Including one from hooker Andrew Brown – what a brilliant if
belated present for last week’s birthday boy Dan Ward from his nephew!
But it’s back to cup action tomorrow when their SHE fifth-round tie
takes Peebles to Neilson Park, Haddington (KO 3:00pm) for their second clash
with Premier II opposition in a fortnight.
(A trend that could of course become a habit in the autumn.)
Elsewhere tomorrow, other ties with Premier III input are Livingston v
Hamilton, Dundee HS v Morgan, Dunfermline v Aberdeen GS, Berwick v Currie and
Perthshire v Heriots.
And finally, spare a thought for Garnock. Despite winning the try-count
in their round 4 clash with high-flying Selkirk, they finally went down 10-16.
Though the Ayrshire men had already confirmed promotion to next term’s
Premiership, that didn’t stop them being labelled “Lowly Garnock” in one
Border press report.
Just the motivation their coach will welcome for tomorrow’s 1st-round
Shield confrontation with visitors Hawick Harlequins. Terries look out!
GYTES GOSSIP is sponsored by BORDER CABS Ltd. – the Borders Premier Taxi Company – phone 01721 721212, web www.bordercabs.co.uk email bookings@bordercabs.co.uk