The sun was shining on what was to be a perfect day for rugby and with the pitch having stood up well to all the rain during the previous week the 2s were looking forward to getting stuck in. The sunshine was so bright that the referee kept his sunglasses on for the whole match (not a joke by the way).

With some early dominance in the rucks and turning over some good ball, Peebles had a couple of shots at goal through Martyn Clyde. Unfortunately these were hooked wide, possibly being put off by what surely must be the shortest posts in Scotland. It was looking like Peanut had left the kicking boots at home, but as we were to see late he had his running shoes on.

The first score came straight of the training ground, well it would if enough people showed up at training to practice it. Solid scrum ball provided the platform for the impressive Ross Brown to use the sizeable Moff as a decoy to send Darren Kerr under the sticks from 40m. Ross Brown took over the kicking duties to put over the simple conversion.

7-0

Another missed penalty was to follow but thankfully their kicker had left his kicking boots at home too, some people may blame the different balls being used as several ended up over the fence.

The next period of the game became a midfield duel with good counter rucking from the forwards with Neil Clark and Sandy Smellie to the fore. A penalty for offside at a ruck was converted by the Forrester no. 8, who looked suspiciously like their stand-off from last year.

This led to a spell of Forrester pressure with their well-functioning line out securing a lot of ball, but never really looking like they would score. The pressure continued and amid some good sacking work by young prop Jamie Menzies, Forrester peeled round the front of the line out but were tackled into touch, by a slightly chubbier looking Jacko. Strong defence has been a factor of the 2s game this season, big hits going in from Moff, Ross Brown, Kieran Brown and that cheeky wee Jacko.

The Jacko turned out for his first Peebles game of the season at scrum-half and had a definite impact. He also returned to old ways with a bleeding nose requiring a new strip request from the referee.

Peebs regained possession and as soon as the pressure was back in the Forrester half another penalty was won. Not put off by previous attempts Peanut stepped back up and much to everyone’s relief slotted the kick

10-3

The next possession went straight back up the pitch resulting in another successful kick by Peanut.

13-3

The half finished with a great break by Darren beating several defenders support well by Sandy showing pace big brother Alan would be proud of. The move fizzled out but it was another example of how dangerous the backs would be given the right platform.

Halftime score to 13-3

The second half started the way the first ended with more blowing of the referees whistle. This was becoming a bit of an issue as the 2s were unable to build any structure as anytime they began to get on top the referees whistle blew, often for no real reason. One particular highlight being a knock-on called for a great off the toes pick up by Ross.

Penalties were a common occurrence with both teams a bit perplexed as to why on occasions. Peebs took the first chance off the half with a lovely strike from Peanut from the 10 yard line.

16-3

After some good forward play by Kenny Clyde and Sandy Smellie set good field position. A delicate chip through from Ross was chased down by Moff and everyone including the opposition believed he had scored only for it to be chalked off for a push in the chase to the ball.

More penalties from both sides led to a bit of a disrupted half with a couple of chances being squandered, Cammy Crawford missing the opportunity to put a 4 on 1 overlap away on the halfway line while at the same time being smashed and driven back 10m in the tackle the slight Forrster 13.

Kenny Clyde looked to be in down on the left wing but with the try line beckoning the caravan he was towing proved too heavy and he was caught. Peebs continued to put pressure on the opposition 22 and from another solid scrum the 2s backs pulled off another set move.

For the second time in the game Moff was denied a try; this time Darren provided the decoy and a lovely short pop from Ross on the 22 put him clean through. The smiling referee adjudged there to be forward pass and another score slipped away. It is hard enough to accept a questionable decision but when the opposition players are just as mystified as we were it is harder to take, not to mention the smiling and joking from the referee.

The final word was left to Peanuts running boots, with a scrum in the centre of the park the ball was played down the left hand side with the impressive Kerr drawing his defender sending the strong running Full-back in at the corner.

Full time 21-3

A good performance and it is always nice to win away from home when numbers are always a struggle. The 16 players who played all stuck in well, Lee Darker gets better every week as his fitness improves, Gary Andersons enthusiasm and willingness is an example for the younger guys, Darren Kerr showed why he is a fixture in the 1st team squad always beating the first man while Ross Brown continues to impress and it is surely a matter of time before he makes the breakthrough in the 1st team in his preferred 12 position.

Man of the match today however was Neil Clark with his tireless work at the rucks and around the park.
Next week has First XV sponsored 2s play Haddington at home please come along and give your support