Peebles 12 October 2019

A cracking autumn day, a very hearty pre match lunch and an excellent game of rugby was all served up at Peebles on Saturday. The hosts just edged GHK in a game that was a fine advert for National Two rugby.

The home side started brightly, dominating possession and threatening the GHK try line. The visitors were ready for the early onslaught and the necessary tackles were made and the line held firm. When the opportunity arose for some attacking endeavours, GHK demonstrated that they were clearly in the mood. A couple of encouraging initial sorties gave heart to the visiting support and on the ten minute mark Ben Hutton finished off dotting down wide right. Jack Cuthbert’s conversion attempt drifted just wide.

GHK dealt well with the restart and were looking reasonably comfortable in the phases of play that followed. However, a speculative punt up field was retrieved by the home full back. He made good ground and linked well with his supporting colleagues. A large gap was found in the GHK defence and Peebles were in under the posts. 7-5 to the red and whites with fifteen minutes gone.

Both sides continued to try and create opportunities with ball in hand. The Peebles half backs and centres were lively in that regard, brining in runners taking clever angles and offering smart offloads. Similarly, the GHK threat behind the scrum came from Jack Cuthbert, skipper Cammy Hughes and Danny Campbell (who has a decent try scoring record at the Gytes).

GHK secured a good field position with a kick to the left touchline just inside the home twenty two. Tidy line out possession lad to a couple of positive drives. With defenders having been committed, Jack Cuthbert forced through a gap and had the strength to get over for GHK’s second score. The try scorer added the conversion.

Back came Peebles, but at this stage GHK looked the more likely when they were in possession. Another midfield break saw GHK power in to the home twenty two. Numbers seemed to favour GHK as the ball was moved left. A score looked on. However, a long pass was intercepted and home centre Murray Brown ran the eighty odd metres to score under the GHK posts. It might have to down as a fourteen pointer.

GHK continued to threaten and probably did not make the most of a number of decent opportunities as the half came to a conclusion. A score of 14-12 to the hosts at half time might have been a wee bit harsh on the visitors. However, late in the half, Peebles had a couple of direct charges into the GHK twenty two when the last pass just didn’t stick. Probably a fair half time score after all.

Props McCulloch and Sutherland did not reappear after the break and Danny Campbell’s participation in the second half was delayed as he was being attended to by the GHK medical team (Molly that is). Compared to the first, the start of the second period was a bit scrappy. It took a cracking break by Ben Hutton to liven up proceedings and get GHK deep in to Peebles’ territory. They stayed in that general area and when the home side infringed Jack Cuthbert slotted over a penalty to reclaim the lead for GHK.

The home stand off, as well as orchestrating several breaks and managing his backs, was able to get his forwards on the front foot courtesy of his skilful left boot. Any loose kicks were returned with interest. From a line out deep in the GHK twenty two Peebles bossed possession and it was evident from early on in this passage of play that the momentum was with them. GHK did well to hold out the initial drives, but eventually the defenders were drawn in and the ball moved right for a score in the corner. A very fine conversion made it three converted tries for the hosts.

There was still just short of half an hour to go. Both sides appeared to have recovered their first half rhythm. GHK were tested in defence and stood up really well to the various attacking challenges presented by a swift Peebles outfit. In attack, GHK were still making inroads. An assault up the GHK right had Ben Hutton cause the alarm bells to ring in the home ranks. The GHK winger was having a productive afternoon in attack and defence. When a GHK offensive move broke down, it was the winger who turned, sprinted back and gathered the awkward bouncing ball under significant pressure from the Border chasers. And yes, GHK retained possession.

Going in to the last ten minutes, with the home advantage standing at six points, GHK required to get in to the Peebles red zone with a view to doing some damage. They managed to do just that and the last seven our eight minutes were played out exclusively in the home twenty two. GHK bossed possession and came oh so close from a series of pick and go drives. Line outs were won and possession retained by virtue of careful disciplined handling. Peebles were penalised on several occasions but GHK did not take the points. It was a remarkable effort from both sides, the Peebles defensive shift and the patient GHK attack. With the clock in overtime, GHK continued to drive on a draw in the defenders. It looked as though, after many phases, that that tactic had paid off as there appeared to be healthy GHK numbers out left. However, that option was not taken and the flip pass inside went to ground. With that the GHK comeback was vanquished, but it was a great effort.  Peebles 21  GHK 15

A cracking game and a few more like that would do very nicely – just so long as GHK are on the right end of the final score!

Thanks to all at Peebles for a grand day out and an excellent game.

GHK player of the day – the outstanding Ben Hutton. Well done young man. The first of many I am sure.

Next week at home to Preston Lodge. Another challenging encounter no doubt. Get along to OA and support the boys. Your presence could help them overcome difficult opponents from East Lothian.