This was a superb match played in atrocious conditions with both teams going hammer and tongs at each other. The teams were evenly matched upfront but perhaps the more enterprising Peebles backs shaded Shire and the Tweedsiders eventually won by a try, penalty try and 3 penalties to Shire’s try and conversion. Has the Eagles taken all their penalty kicks in the 2nd half instead of going for the tries the match could easily have had a different outcome. Peebles took the lead in 3 minutes when Raeburn slotted a penalty and thereafter they really took the game to Shire running the ball at every opportunity despite the driving rain. Perthshire elected to kick for territory but for once, Shame Imo’s boot was a bit suspect, and his kicks merely supplied Peebles with more ammunition to throw back at them. However, a sublime break by Imo made space for reuben elley who put Shire into the lead as the big Kiwi sprinted under the posts and O’Connor made the easy conversion. Peebles were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Perthshire but the tackling by every single Perthshire player was immense and the home team could find no way past the black and white wall. The forwards, with props Rory Kelso and James Forrester always to the fore excelled in the conditions and took every opportunity to drive the ball forward. Eventually the Peebles pack managed to grab a try after a move from the back row of the scrum as Kearney picked up and drove over. Peebles managed to stretch their lead with another 2 Raeburn penalties as Shire defended with desperation but this was all that separated the two sides. In the 2nd half Shire managed to turn the tables and were seen more as an attacking force and only a couple of slack passes prevented a try. Matt Rae thought he was over the line but the referee adjudged that he was held up as both teams continued to defy the conditions and produce an exciting game of rugby. A bit of handbags in the 2nd half saw Adam Pattinson receive a yellow card for alleged stamping but judging by the bruise and lump on his thigh, he was more of a victim than a villain. Peebles used their extra man to advantage and after they drove the Shire scrum backwards, Gav Bloice was a second too quick in diving at the ball and a penalty try was awarded. Shire just upped their efforts again and were the dominant force in the final quarter. They were putting Peebles under pressure and winning penalties but made the error of not converting these into 3 points. Shire finished the stronger side but couldn’t get the tries they needed and Peebles came away with the 4 points. The game was a credit to the levels of fitness of both teams who played superbly in extremely wet, cold and windy conditions which sapped the strength from even the fittest players.

The après festivities were played well into the night with equal vigour by both teams and all the Perthshire players and supporters would like to thank Peebles for their excellent hospitality. Shire were strengthened in the bar by the introduction of 3 former stars now playing Premier Rugby for Aberdeen Grammar School FP. Their game against Gala was called off but Erlend Oag and Tony McGuiness doubled the number of Shire supporters at the game and Graeme Clow made a superb introduction at full back. Unfortunately, Tony McGuiness suffered the day’s most severe injury during his participation in the broom race. Following a good start, he lost his fight with the broom and needless to say the broom survived the incident more intact than young Tony. Saturday may see Howe of Fife at the North Inch in the Cup but Shire are struggling with so many players away for Christmas and Howe are being asked to consider moving the date to the 12th January. Bells Sports Centre is also closed therefore we have no facilities.

It was sad to learn of the death of Peebles stalwart, Dan T Ward, on Christmas Day and all of Perthshire Rugby Club would like to offer their condolences to Dan’s family and Peebles Rugby who have not only lost a wonderful club stalwart but a real character involved in many aspects of the community.