Sore loss for NSRFC in Peebles

Peebles RFC 42 – 7 Newton Stewart RFC
Tennants National League Division 2
Saturday 29th February 2020

Newton Stewart RFC faced a hard day at the coal-face in snowy Peebles last weekend with a heavy defeat to a team they managed to beat earlier this season in Bladnoch. With the Reds missing a few influential players it was always destined to be a difficult day, but the poor conditions and some impressive handling from their opposition quickly put an end to any optimism for the Newton Stewart supporters.
The limited player availability this weekend meant that the starting line-up featured a few names in unfamiliar positions and this only worsened as the game progressed, with further injuries adding to the woes.
The early play was competitive and Newton Stewart had some decent possession, but Peebles always looked dangerous when they got hands on the ball. Once the early nerves were settled the home side started to find holes in the Reds’ defences. Some missed tackles and poor communication from Newton Stewart allowed their opponents to score four converted tries within fifteen minutes. This early disaster stemmed from a miserable performance from the Reds, but credit where it’s due, Peebles played a stormer and spun the ball quickly wide to stretch the scrambling defences. Their stand-off ran riot through the Newton Stewart backs and the game was lost long before half-time.
With half an hour played the Reds found a small glimmer of hope in a half they would otherwise care to forget. As Peebles threw the ball near the halfway line, a poor pass bounced over the head of its intended recipient and landed in the hands of Newton Stewart hooker Thomas MacDonald. Grabbing hold of it, he displayed some impressive pace for a front row to run in an intercept try against the grain of the play. Jack Gaw converted for 28 – 7.
There was further punishment ahead for Newton Stewart though when the referee awarded a penalty try against them for a scrum infringement on the 5m line. The first scrum set came down – not surprising given the slippery conditions and wet pitch – and without any warning the referee blew his whistle to finish a woeful first half for Newton Stewart at 35 – 7.
The second half was a significantly more respectable affair with Newton Stewart stemming the tide against them and actually looking the far more threatening team, although failing to capitalise on their possession.
A yellow card given against Connal McDonald for a high tackle reduced the Reds to fourteen men for ten minutes and required some further reshuffling of players. Added to that the loss of back row David Montgomery, centre Fraser Morton and stand-off Russell Morton to injury, there were few players still in their favoured positions. The disorganisation ought to have spelled disaster, however the Reds seemed to have developed some communication and hunger that was sorely lacking in the first half.
A sole try against them late in the second half, one of Peebles only ventures over the halfway line in this half, was the only change to the scoreboard. The final score of 42 – 7 was painful, but the ability of the Newton Stewart team to stick in and fight hard to the end is testament to their heart and determination. The long tiring game in blizzard conditions will have tested their physical stamina, but their mental stamina was pushed to its limits too.
Back row players James McMiken and Alan Ferrie impressed with their constant industry, keeping the line out solid and making some big ball carries right to the last. Jack Gaw supplied the ball well from scrum-half, especially given the conditions, but Thomas MacDonald was Man of the Match for his strong tackling and scoring the sole try on a dark day.
Next weekend the Reds face Preston Lodge RFC at Bladnoch Park, kick-off at 3pm.
Team: Jamie Muir, Liam Brawls, Calum Gaw, Fraser Morton (capt), Ben Radley, Russell Morton, Jack Gaw, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, Mark Craig, Connal McDonald, James McMiken, Jamie Smith, Alan Ferrie. Subs: Martin Wallace, Robbie Firth, Fyfe Paterson, David Montgomery.