Friday night welcomed the Boroughmuir Bears to the Gytes for the return match after last week’s away fixture. A few different faces in each team made sure for a good match.

Peebles 2nds started the match with the same pace and precision that they had at the end of the previous week’s game, last week’s hat-trick hero Darren Kerr leading the way with some strong attacking runs. Peebs powerful pack was controlling the contact situations with Adam Clark and Kieran Brown to the fore. The 2s were soon camped on the Bears line and after several pick and goes Drew Moore provided the pass for the robust James Hamilton to burst over the line. Martyn Clyde kicked the conversion making it 7-0.

The Bears were looking much stronger than the previous week and were not about to lie down, with Chris Evans controlling the field position and the front rows going tit for tat at scrum-time the game was heating up.

Peebles looked dangerous every time they moved the ball wide but seemed unable to finish anything off, a neat chip downfield by Greg McConnell was gathered up by the covering scrum-half before he and his caravan could get to it. Peanut then dropped the pass with the line beckoning and Greg outside him.

Peebles were attempting to keep the pace of the game up but were guilty of over exuberance at times and fell afoul of the referees whistle. This was costing valuable field position and creating a stop start game. It was inevitable that eventually one of these penalties would cost Peebs sooner or later. Sure enough a penalty against led to the Bears first try. A kick to the corner led and secure line-out ball which the Bears drove over the line. The kick was missed 7-5

Drew Moore had to leave the field at this point with a wee injury meaning Liam Fraser got his second game of the season underway. Peebs fought hard to regain control of the game but only some solid defence from Ross Brown and Cammy Crawford was keeping the visitors at bay.

The man who can't stop scoring was on the board next as Adam Moffat went over in the corner. Peebs made hard work of this try, ignoring a massive overlap out-wide as the forwards continued to pressure the line. The ball was eventually moved wide; Andersons wide pass was picked off his toes by Peanut and when he was stopped just short of the line Moff was there to flop over the line. The conversion was missed by Peanut 12-5

Some good sustain possession helped by the forwards getting on top, young prop Jamie Menzies and last weeks reprieved bad boy Sandy Smellie were getting through a power of work clearing our rucks to get Liam good quick ball. This led to another strong run down the wing by Kerr who after throwing in a trademark side-step of five was stopped just the ever present Adam Clark was on hand to power over for his third try on 3 weeks.
17-5 at half time

Substitutions at half time saw Neil Clark come on for young James Cockburn, James has adapted well to the step up from colts rugby but the resurgent Neil Clark could not be left on the bench any longer. Davy Brown came on for Cammy Crawford for his 2nd game of the season; Cammy is another who has been a great addition to the 2s this year. Donald Anderson also retreated for the enigma that is Clinch who had everyone wondering which Clinchy would show up this week.

Peebles 2nds started the 2nd half on top, Steven Irving was securing good kick-off ball and allowing Peebs to build. As he did last week Liam Fraser was upping the pace at will, after threatening to break a few times he finally carved the visitors defence up. His dart through the defence set up Moff to rum in form halfway who made it over the line even though the sniper on the balcony got him a few yards out. 22-5

Rab Linton joined the game around this point, giving the workman like Sandy a break. At least you got to leave the field by choice this week Sandy, glad you left your handbag at home.

The next try followed shortly after, a good midfield break from Peanut saw him pass to Moff who was clean through, a reluctant Moff was desperately looking around for a pass before running in from outised the 22m. It is unclear if he was trying to avoid running that far or the yard he would be due for his hat-trick. Conversion by Ross Brown 29-5
Davy Brown was shown a yellow card for what was called a team penalty for infringements at ruck time. This was unlucky for Davy as he had been unusually disciplined up to that point. This did not slow down the 2s juggernaut and Mark Prior continued his rugby comeback by coming on a wing forward.

The Bears enjoyed a brief period of pressure in the home 22m but some huge hits by Ross Brown were stopping them in their tracks. A turn over by a tiring Moff led to a quick tap penalty as Pees went from deep. Jamie Menzies then made one of his characteristic breaks through the defence galloping up the pith like a demented horse but with 40m still to go he was lucky Kerr was on hand to take up running to the try line before returning the pass to Jamie for the try. Ross once again converted. 36-5.

Moff was still getting to his feet in the home 22m when the try was scored and was replaced meaning a shift for Irv to the centre.

The Bears then struck back with a try made by one of their own youngsters
Rab took exception to something after the try and was shown yellow for having a wee swing. He was lucky considering Sandy was red carded last week for less, the difference of having a Border ref maybe? Evans slotted the kick. 36-12.

Now down to 13 men Peebles decided the best idea was to keep attacking. Donald Anderson back on the field for the impressive Liam kept the 2s going forward as Ross Brown controlled matters from 10. With the Bears tiring and lacking subs more gaps began to appear. With the defenders getting tied in at the forwards the strike was wide and Greg McConnell went down line to score, the kick slipped past.

The next try came straight from the kick off, ex Peebles player Gordon Pearse took the restart only for Neil Clark to take it back off him, the pass from the ruck bounced in midfield before Clinchy scooped it up and cut a great angle to split the defence then sprint 50 yards to score under the posts.
Ross converted with a drop goal 48-12.

The game was into its final moments when Greg had the chance once again to go in at the corner, unfortunately one too many Jager Bombs seem to have had an effect on his pace and the covering defence prevented him scoring.

A cynical penalty by Evans kicking the ball away from the Peebs side as he retreated led to a late yellow card. Peebles were unable to capitalise on the last play and the game finished 48-12

Another good win has the team at the top of the league just now with Kelso behind but games in hand.

Man of the match this week was Ross Brown with his control of the game and big tackles in midfield, pushed by Adam Moffat and his 3 tries. It was disappointed that none of the 1st team coaching team were down to watch Ross as he continues to bang pretty loudly on the first team door.

Next Friday has Melrose 2nds visit the Gytes in a break from league action. This will be a big step up in level for the 2s but with confidence high and hopefully a full squad to choose from it should be a good game. Hopefully we will see another good turnout from the 1st team supporters club.