A beautiful Autumn day greeted the First XV sponsored 2s as they arrived at Hay Lodge Park to play Haddington 2nds. With perfect conditions everything was set for a great game of rugby.

Haddington started the game stronger and some good earlt possession tested the 2s defence. Defence has been a highlight for the 2s this year and they held firm, in no small part down to a Martyn Clyde try saving tackle after he held up the Haddington player over the line.

The 2s then took the game by the scruff of the neck and did not let it go again.
The first try was scored by Kieran Brown after Ewan Jackson then Jamie Menzies made ground before popping the ball Kieran to stroll in for the score. Unfortunately Martyn Clyde has still not found his kicking boots and the conversion was missed, maybe need to get down to training on Tuesday and practice Peanut. 5-0


Adam Moffat then arrived late and came onto the park for the injured Ali Drummond allowing Steven Irvine to take up his usual berth in the forwards rather than the 12 spot he started the match in.

The second score was a carbon copy of Darren Kerrs’ score last week, as Ross Brown used Moff as a decoy to send Darren through the gap and under the posts, the simple conversion was again missed. 10-0

A fine counter attack by Peanut and Darren set up the next try, the forwards kept it going with some solid carries creating space for Ross to put a deleicate chip through for the chasing Danny Cowe to dot down. Ross took over the kicking but the kick as missed. 15-0

The mistake on the kickoff gave the 2s a scrum on half way. The 2s exploited the large blindside as a pick up from Irvine to Jackson then Clyde got us down to 10 yards out. The ball was worked to the other flank and taken on by the impressive Murdo Anderson. His offload failed to go to hand but the unlucky Haddinton player who picked it up was dumped into touch by Moff who got up and took the quick throw. The Haddington defence was caught napping as good hands by Irv, Fraser Dale and then Nelly sent Danny Cowe over for his 2nd try. Another missed kick made it 20-0

The next 10 mins were taken up with some good Haddington pressure and some strong forward play by the 2s. The solid Peebles scrum led by Jamie Hammy and Nelly along with the lineout combination of Davy C and Fraser held firm and some big kicking by Ross relived pressure. Along the way Jacko boxed kicked like a flanker and Hammy found himself in the fullback role cover a kick through.

On the stroke of half time the Davy Fraser combination came up trumps again at the short lineout on the 10. This allowed Ross the time to throw a big dummy and sprint under the sticks for a well-deserved try after some of the strong runs in the first half. At last a conversation was kicked. 27-0 Half-time

Captain Davy Cornwall was replaced by Rab Linton after a strong first half display with Deano Gilchrist also on for Jamie Menzies who was feeling the effects of all his running around.

Haddington again started the half stronger with some good forward play, which led to a silly penalty by veteran Mark Thompson who at his age should really know better. We can let him off this one however as he was a tower of strength thought the match. A turnover in midfield was quickly turned over again as Hammy was unceremoniously dumped, Haddinton moved the ball wide by Murdo continued his strong defensive display and the ball was lost forward.

Two try hero Danny Cowe was chopped in half while kicking ahead, but he shook himself off and continued hat-trick hunting. The resulting line-out was overthrown and Thommo got a hand to it to put 2s back on the front foot.

A mazy run from Adam Moffat took play right up to the opponents line where with the 2s going forward the referee stopped play for an injury. Play resumed with a scrum and stand-in captain Moff challenged the forwards to push Haddington over the line and the 8 man shove with nice control by Irv gave Peebs the try. A huge smile on Neil Clarks face as he emerged from the scrum told the tale. Converted by Ross to make it 34-0

Following a missed penalty to touch Peanut continued where he left off last week with some great counter attacking, it just shows he at his best when he doesn’t think too much his natural rugby brain takes over. Irv then decided to take on the Haddington pack all by himself and he got a wee bit of red mist.

It was at this point that Haddington ccored. A quick tap penalty being run in by their 9 as the defence slept and converted by their 10. Sloppy play by the 2s and a bad habit they need to get sorted before stronger teams take advantage of it. 34-7.

A turnover by Moff in the Haddington half led to a great counter attack. Thommos behind the back pass to Hammy who offloaded onto Irv, from the quick ruck ball before Darren proved too strong for the final defenders to score. Ross converted 41-0

Another counter attack was started by Peanut, Moff chipped through ignoring the 3:1 overlap and only saved himself major embarrassment by regathering the loose ball and putting Kieran Brown over for his 2nd try. Conversion was missed 46-0

With 20 minutes to go Mark Prior came on for Mark Thompson; Thommo had a strong workmanlike performance and his experience helps the younger guys. Mark Prior marked his return to Peebles after a few years’ with one he may have forgotten by now. Showing great commitment he closed down the runner and put in a huge hit, only to get his head in the wrong side and having his bell properly rung. Mark shook his head stood up took 2 steps and promptly fell over again. He showed great commitment not wanting to leave the pitch, welcome back Mark good to have you. Thommo returned to the pitch barley having had time to cool down.

The next period was spent defending as the visitors did not lie down and several attempts were knocked back over the line, at least two of which everyone thought were tries except to only man who counts; the ref. Peebles countered with great offloading. Irv was clean through only to trip over his own feat, it may have been the shock of a potential 50m run that tripped him up.

A scrum in the Pees 22 was put to good use, the back line had been dangerous all day and combined to put Moff into a big gap. He was caught on the halfway line only to pull off a ‘Sonny Bill’ moment in the tackle with a one handed offload out the back door to Darren at full pace. Darren stepped left outside and out the foot on the gas finally the line stepping inside the final defender to score his hat trick try. Converted by Ross 53-7.

Jamie Menzies returned to the field for Neil Clark who once again played well, Nelly seems to be enjoying a new lease of life this season and long may in continue.

Top try scorer Martyn Clyde finished the try scoring, another slick backs move created a little space but Peanut made the most of it. Quick feet beat the first two men before a big hand-off and pace put him inside the corner. Conversion missed. Final Score 58-7

Another good 2s performance, good times lie ahead with the mixture of old heads and fresh faces keeping the team spirit going. Fraser Dale returning boosted the line-out, Mark Prior fully committed on his debut, Ewan Jackson gets through a power of work at scrum half (getting more turnovers the whole backrow combined) while Ross Brown continues to grow with every game.

Man of the Match today was Darren Kerr with a great all round performance. Strong running brought three tries but equally impressive was his work in defence; the first team must surely beckon for Darren.

Next week the 2s travel to Selkirk for a tough away fixture.