Peebles utilised their floodlights again on Friday, and the team shined very brightly against a feisty Jed. This was a re arranged game in the South Region Qualifying Cup. However it meant nothing to either team as Selkirk had already qualified from the group, having beaten Peebles the previous week. However it gave both sides a chance to rotate their squads and get ready for resuming their league campaigns. Jed are anchored at the foot of their league, and Pees second top of theirs, with a league between them both.

It was a windless night, fairly warm and pretty damned wet, which made for a slippery ball. From the kick off Jed attempted to impose themselves on Peebles with a series of fast rucks . However, from Raeburn’s kick to touch, Pees won good lineout ball and spun out to Hemara. From the crash ball Pees spun out wide again, and rampaged up the park for Cal Scott to storm over. Young Greg Raeburn converted and Pees were 7-nil to the good.

Jed came straight back at Peebles and from a scrappy lineout Dalton Hall managed to rescue ball, before Pees were penalised at the breakdown. Ruaridh Clinch took Jeds loose pass as they surged forward, and skelped up the park , for what looked to be a scintillating try. However the ref blew up and adjudged Clinchie to be offside when he received the ball. Jed came back again, and Pees put in a mighty hit, just as Jed looked to have secured an overlap. Jed playing high tempo rugby, came back at Pees again, and this time they made the overlap pay, as in zipped David Gobby to make it 7-5. Chisholm missed the conversion attempt.

The ever alert Donald Anderson then placed a beautiful chip, for Martin Cruickshank’s to chase and touchdown in the corner. Greg Raeburn produced a magnificent conversion to make it 14-5. Paul Stewart made a welcome return for Peebles, as Adam Clark went for a rest and Matty Carryer was replaced by Rhino McConnell. Jed came at Peebles again, and as Pees tried to clear their lines and chase the ball down, but the ref blew up, correctly, for the chaser being in front of the kicker. Jed converted the resultant penalty through Chisholm to bring the scores to 14-8 . Alan Warnock then put in a huge tackle as Jed stormed up the park. The half ended as Connor McCann had a great take and carry, fed Cruickie, who kicked to touch.

The second half saw Pees immediately penalised for being off their feet at the ruck. Jed kicked to touch, and Warren Kearney stole the lineout. The ball was fed to Clinchie, who knocked on, in the advantage, as Jed had already been penalised. Excellent refereeing. Pees then surged forwards as Hemara took the ball forward and set up Cal Scott, Rhino came in and set up the rucked as Pees rucked up again through McCann. However Pees knocked on and infringed at the breakdown which gave Jed a penalty which they kicked to touch. Connor McCann then suffered a wee headknock, but remained on the park. Jed then infringed offside as Greg Raeburn broke away with ball from the back of the scrum. Donald Anderson converted to make it 17-8.

Pees then stormed forward up the left wing, but there was a wee fracas at the breakdown, whereby a Jed prop fancied giving Rhino a Glasgae kiss. Straight red for Jed, and a wee sin bin rest resulted for Ryan. Peebles were then penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck, and Jed converted to haul themselves back into the game at 17-11, with fourteen a side. Matty Carryer came back on for Pees Jed kicked the restart straight to Peebles and the ball made its way to Martin Cruickshanks, who was not hanging about on the wing, and he dashed over. Greg Raeburn put in an amazing conversion to make it 24-11

Kenny Clyde then secured ball and rumbled up, and when going to ground he managed to ruffle his Vidal Sussoon locks. Willsie then came on at scrum half, and shortly after the pugilist Rhino was able to return to the fray. As Pees swept forward setting up rucks, Ryan put in a mighty hit to defend a returning attack from Jed. Jeds stand off then roared over and in from a missed call which fooled the Pees defence. Training ground move which was pretty impressive to make it 24-16 with the conversion missed.

Pees surged forward again and as Jed tried to clear their lines James Hemara managed to put in his trademark charge down secure ball and crash over the whitewash. Greg converted and it was 31-16. Rhino then went on the rampage and released Conor Blyth who was barged into touch in full flight. Jed came back and Warnie put in a superb try saving tackle. Jed came again and this time it was Rhino who put in a fabulous hit. Greg Raeburn then dashed up the park and knocked the ball back for the Jed winger to pick up as the ref blew up for full time.

On to Hawick for the double header against YM on Saturday. No internationals, so Peter Wright will be back in the coaching fold, for what will be a massive game for Pees. All traffic from Peebs to Hawick for Saturday. MonThePees!!!