Hay Lodge saw a battle between two arch enemies as Biggar travelled up to tackle Jim Curries Peebles side in a hard fought contest on Saturday, albeit in slow motion. The gum shields were dusted off for some and denchers removed for others as a return for social rugby was welcomed up the park.

It was a competitive affair from the start as both teams warmed up in preparation for the battle which lay ahead and a typical Currie warm up of picking and posting the ball was on display for the viewing public. It was good however to see some old faces grace both teams along with some new players taking part in their first game EVER!!

The game started with Peebles kicking off and instantly piled the pressure onto their rivals, with Peter Rainey and Jim Weir setting the standard with some barn storming runs, but it was to be out wide that Peebles would gain the advantage, as some expansive rugby and direct(ish) running from the backs would be the undoing of Biggar led by the Benjamin Button of Peebles Njord McIver. The first try came after some good work in the forwards from Currie and Graeme Patterson, and along with some top drawer service from Brockie the ball eventually found its way out to the galloping ginger Kris Barnett who chipped his winger and beat his opposite number to the ball to get the first try. A tricky kick from the experienced fly half Paul McBride saw the score open at 7-0.

It wasn’t too long until Peebles were on the score sheet again as Graeme Patterson showed why he is in charge of the next generation of Pees by showing some deft touches and allowing Adrian Service to stroll in for a well worked try. McBride again added the extras to make it 14-0.

Biggar were starting to find their feet, which most of the players on display might not have seen in years, and opted for a territorial game with some wonderful kicks from the fly half. At the back for Peebles however was new father figure Wes Beaumont who was always safe under the high ball and made some lovely line breaks.

After some territorial play Peebles opted for the quick line out and the ball found the powerhouse Peter Rainey, who found the ground quite quickly as a Biggar player took the opportunity to put in a big hit…albeit from an offside position. Referee Graham Bell saw the funny side as did most of the crowd and let the player off lightly with a warning and one spectator mentioning that the pitch did infact need rolled.

It wasn’t too long until the Peebles backs were running riot again and Walkerburn Whizzkid Scott MacIntosh received the ball off Wes to stroll in for a score which was again converted to make it 21-0.

Colin Campbell who had been menacing all day was about to get on the score sheet, but not before Jim Weir put in a huge hit to dislodge the ball from the Biggar fly half, to a few nervous reactions on the touch line as he was hit so hard he could have landed in the playing area further up Hay Lodge…nobody expected anything less from Jim,100% committed all afternoon. Colin Campbell converted his own try to make it 28-0 at half time.

Peebles made wholesale changes as David Howitt and DD entered the fray with Gary Anderson one of the players making way after an active afternoon off the back of the scrum, showing his fitness to the busy crowd.

David McNeily who came on in the second half and was involved in a lot of the Peebles play, most notably taking out the linesman when setting up Colin Campbell for his second try of the afternoon. It was a comical moment in the game along with Curries 3m box kick, but everything was taken in good nature on a great afternoon. The Peebles backs were to run riot in the second half with McNeily scoring a try and Service getting his second try, with Campbell completing his hat trick.

Biggar however never gave up and with the last play of the game got on the score sheet with a well deserved try.

It was an enjoyable afternoon for all involved as all players, officials and spectators had a great afternoon. The only downside was having to go down and watch some international rugby in the clubrooms after the spectacle witnessed at Hay Lodge. Although Peebles ran out 58-14 winners in the end, it was more about the social occasion and old friends and foes enjoying a few beers after battering each other for 80 minutes…ok 60 minutes, but who was counting…!!