A rainy day in Edinburgh saw the 2s team travel to Meggatland to play the Boroughmuir Bears, who included in their side two former Peebles players. Having last week played on soggy pitch this one was nice and firm perfect for our running game.

The Bears began the game on top with former Peebles player Chris Evan turning the 2s defence with some good kicking. This is never a good idea with Peanut plying so well this season and Darren Kerr in great try scoring form.

The first score of the game came off the back of a good solid scrum, where we won a penalty with Neil Clark and James Cockburn showing up well. The forwards took the ball up giving a good solid platform for the ball to be played along the back line to Martyn Clyde to score the try. Peanut dusted himself off and then kicked the conversion as well making it 0-7.This was a novel experience for this reporter as his boot us been less than reliable in previous weeks!

The forwards were beiging to get on top and some good build up play by Cammy Crawford and Kieran Brown resulted in a penalty for the 2s in midfield. With his confidence up Peanut stepped up and slotted this too. The Tee carrier this week the injured Murdo Anderson will tell you it was down to him. 0-10

Peebles claimed the kick-off well and Donald launched the ball up-field, a bit of a mix up saw the referee calling for number 15 to stop as a rather perplexed Peanut stood in his own 22m. The quizzical penalty allowed Evans to step up and kick the penalty. 3-10

After 20 minutes the game changed, a scuffle in the forwards saw punches thrown by both sides. However most of this was missed the young referee who tuned round just in time to see Sandy Smellie throw a huge haymaker, which missed its target. The ref took a hard line and showed Sandy a red card as the lucky Bears prop escaped any punishment, well from the referee anyway.

The next 10 minutes saw a massive defensive effort from a very angry 2nd team who felt the red was harsh. With the Clark brothers to the fore and big hits all-round the 2s survived with nothing but a few penalties. The ship was steadied by another penalty form Peanut. 3-13

Two more penalties one for each side saw Evans then Peanut make it 16-6.

Some strong attacking opportunities then started to appear, with the ferocious tackling from Jacko and young Clark providing some turnovers. The backs were able to get the team going forward using the two powerful centres Ross Brown and Moff as Donald Anderson began to get the upper hand in the battle of the Ginger 10s. On 40 minutes bears had there centre yellow carded for continual infringements at the rucks and once again the kick was put over leading to this reporter noting 100% Peanut on my pad. 6-19

A very positive half time chat from both coach Tait and captain Davy C set the 2s u nicely. There was real confidence in the boys that they would win the game and win well.
Liam Fraser came on for his first game in 2 years as Jacko moved into the more familiar back-row. Lee Darker giving way after a workman-like performance.


Pressure on the opposition line out had been good with your Kieran Brown excelling, but it was former 2s captain Gordon Pearse who stole one at the front. Some sloppy play and a bouncing ball fell to the Bears fullback and the veteran calmly put over a drop goal. 9-19

This reporter seemed to have jinxed Peanut with his 100% comment as his next penalty had drifted wide. Peebles countered from the drop out, Donald Anderson chipped it over the top for ‘misunderstood missile’ Clinchy to chase but he was just beaten to the ball by the cover as he sauntered after it.

A try wasn't far away, a strong run from Kieran Brown off turnover ball got him just short of the line, it was quickly recycled and left for Peanut to cruise in. The conversion was missed 9-24

The next 5 minutes saw a massive defensive effort keeping the hosts out on several attempts across the line, during which Davy C was lucky to escpae a yellow card and Clarky smashed the Hen. The pressure told eventually as their pacey scrum half to sneaked down the blindside to score in the corner, conversion missed.14-24.

After a chat under the posts from Davy Cornwall and Adam Moffat the game was then taken by the scruff of its neck.

A line out steal was scooped by Liam and he then headed down the touch line before chipping inside, the ball to be headed out of play by the full back who had just received a 8.5 for his previous dive with hands to face. You can keep that diving rubbish in football mate, man up!

A scrum was awarded to us, much the surprise of all the players who were expecting a 22 drop out. Adam Clark was way ahead of everyone else as he tapped the ball and drove over from 5m. Conversion by Peanut 14-31

With a good cushion the backs began to spread the ball wide, with Donald using his big centres as decoys space was made for Peanut and Darren to cut-loose. Each made great breaks but when one on one with the full-back the final pass went to ground, against better teams we can’t afford to pass up these opportunities.

The 7man 2s scrum was dominating against a big but unfit Bears back, the experience of Davy C and the Clark brothers holding it together. The scrum won a penalty in front of the post for Peanut to convert 14-34.

Deano Gilchrist joined the fray for Neil Clark who continued his great form this year, along with James Cockburn winning lots ball in the scrums and rucks. The backs were now rampant breaking the line all over the field. Darren Kerr then got on the score sheet with a run in from 10 yards picking a great line off Donald after Moff had gone close. Conversion by Peanut 14-41.


Kevin Tait replaced a tiring Moff and Rab Linton entered the game.

A great break by Jacko fed onto Donald who chipped into space for impressive debutant Liam Fraser the win the race to the corner to score. 14-46.
Having blown a couple of 2 on 1s the next one went to hand allowing Darren to race past the defensive line before stepping off his right foot past the full back and going under the posts. Conversion by Peanut 14-53.

Impressive restarts today by Cameron Crawford and Rab Linton allowed us the build the foundation and secure good ball. The final try was a similar effort to Darren's previous one with width and pace getting him into space and coasting past the helpless 15. Meaning the final score was 14-58.

A great performance by all involved, showing great team spirit throughout the match. The 2s continue to score tries but it is the defensive line which is really improved over the season. The addition of Jacko has given the team a new dimension and the leadership of Moff and Davy C helping the team gel. If we can just get a few more bodies down at training the 2s have a real chance to win this league.

Man of the match this week was Adam Clark, young Clark produced a storming display around the park and at set piece topped off with his second try in two weeks. He was pushed hard though with Peanut and Darren on Scoring form and Jacko all over the place in a good way.

With the whole club buzzing the 2s hope the vocal 1st team support will come out and support us for the return match on Friday night at the Gytes.