Peebles v Melrose

Peebles v Melrose – 8/3/24

Under the Gytes floodlights this Border League match was played on a very cold and blustery evening. With seven minutes played Keiran Clark spotted a gap and fought his way over from the Peebles 22 to score the opening try. Unfortunately, Struan Hutchison’s attempted conversion rebounded off the upright. From the kick-off Douglas Crawford made a break passing to Connor Spence who left the defenders wallowing in his wake to score and, this time, Hutchison was successful with the conversion. At 17 minutes Peebles retrieved a loose ball in mid-field with James Dow racing in from 30m with Donald Anderson converting. Seven minutes later Peebles kicked a penalty to touch following which a series of plays in mid-field was spread to the opposite wing where James Hodgkiss scored an unconverted try. Hutchison ended the first half scoring with a penalty just before the break.

Half time – Peebles 12 Melrose 15

Anderson opened the second half scoring with a penalty at 47 minutes to level the scores again. Melrose won a penalty lineout rolling maul, at 64 minutes, with Thomas Brown claiming the touch-down which Hutchison converted. Peebles laid siege to the Melrose line near no-side with a series of penalties and, at 79 minutes, Ross Brown scampered in under the posts for a try with Anderson’s conversion levelling the scores again. The kick-off was taken and, despite several late penalties from both sides, play continued past the 80 minutes as both teams chased victory before the ball eventually found its way into touch. Honours even, but Peebles will need to wait for their first ever victory over Melrose.

Peebles 22 Melrose 22

Peebles – David Collins, Jordan Charters, James Dow, James Hodgkiss, Neil Pate, Donald Anderson, Max McIver, Neil Hogarth, Ru Smith, Lewis Copeland, Ross Brown, Hamish Bell, Jay Coltman, Euan Jackson, Finlay Collins. Replacements – John Napier, John Gray, Cammy Pye, Rohan McIver, Kenny Rodger, Davy Anderson, Chris Britee-Steer, Cammy Boak.

Melrose – Keiran Clark, Matty Bertram, Connor Spence, Struan Hutchison, Harry Makowski, Douglas Crawford, Scott Clark, Will Owen, Ben McLean, Andrew Kirk, Dylan Cockburn, Thomas Brown, Seb van der Sluis, Will Ferrie, Lachlan Gaddie. Replacements – Robbie Robinson, Ali Renton, Archie Pilcher, Angus Weir, Logan Kirk, Robin Sharp, Jack Wilks.

Referee – Mr. Walsh