It was another defeat yes but there were plenty of positives from this Border Championship League game last Friday night at Jedburgh.

It was a tight game throughout the 80 minutes and if Peebles had been in a position to field a scrum half the result may have been different.    Liam Fraser had been injured the previous week against Kelso and was unable to play,   Ewan Jackson is still not able to resume, playing Drew Moore was unavailable and David Anderson was on the bench for the first team (a game which didn't take place) so the second team had to improvise and Martin Thomson agreed to wear the No9 jersey.   He now says he does not want to play there again.

It was a fine dry night when the player took the field and both teams tried to play open attacking rugby, Calum Farmer resuming after a lengthy spell on the side lines was influential in the Peebles backs for the first 40 minutes before he had to retire injured.   Also prominent in the first half were several of the backs where Darren Kerr also making a welcome return at Stand Off played well especially in defence Graham Franks was always keen to attack and he was lucky to survive without being yellow carded after he followed up his own kick ahead.

However it was the home took who scored first really against the run of play when a concerted forward effort and several 'pick and drives saw them go over for a try. The conversion was missed.   Peebles fought back and despite being up against it in the scrums where Jed were far heavier Graham Hogarth assisted by Rhys Wilson and Andrew Brown did take two against the head.    With the Peebles scrum unfortunately going backwards Martin Thomson found it difficult to get the ball out and always to the backs who did look slicker and faster than of late.

In the second half Jed went further ahead when their backs combined well and worked an overlap to score in the corner.   10 - 0 down but Peebles were still in the hunt.   A great solo run by winger Paul Kerr saw him take play from his own half to 2m from the Jed line before he was brought to the ground by a stretched defence.   Shortly thereafter Rhys Wilson got the only Peebles score when Michael Boyd took good line out ball 5m from the Jed line.   Peebles forwards all got together and drove over the line and Rhys touched down.

A further penalty from Jed made the final score 13 - 5.  

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?   It looks like it.   Peebles 2nd team are at Hay Lodge tomorrow (Saturday) for a friendly against Dumfries 2nd team.   Check the notice board for kick off time