A dreich afternoon in more ways than one for West

Alastair Doull tries to break free of his Peebles pursuers (pic by John Cameron).

While conditions were drizzly with a strong wind swirling everywhere, the pitch was in remarkably good condition for the time of year.

And Peebles showed right from the start that they had superiority in the scrum, and used it to good effect all game long.

First West lost a scrum in front of their own posts and the visitors went through the phases for lock Arnoldas Patskocimas to score unconverted in the corner.

Conditions dictated it would be a war of attrition, though both sides looked as if they could play some rugby.

Peebles extended their lead when centre Calum Anderson found a gap in the West defence to score under the posts, Greg Raeburn converting.

West had their backs against the wall when Peebles chipped over the defence and West had to carry over the line and touch down for a Peebles scrum five, which turned into a textbook pushover try for no 8 Roddy Guiney.

Raeburn added the extras and Peebles were 19-0 ahead.

West had a couple of good chances which didn’t quite go to hand before the Borderers notched up their bonus point try after a breakout caught West napping and full-back Murray Johnston converted under the posts, Raeburn converting to bring the half time score to 26-0.

West had to try to salvage something and slogged hard through the second half. West were competitive at the breakdown and the backs looked lively, but the scrum was proving a liability and the lineout was inconsistent.

After an unconverted Peebles try from Willie Brown, West finally got on the score sheet when, after good work from Harry Brewster, Pete Burns found an overlap to score and converted his own try.

Peebles added their sixth try when another scrum against the head found winger Connor Blythe who scored unconverted in the corner.

West rounded off a dismal afternoon with a try. Time was up and Peebles could have booted the ball to touch to end the game but kicked the ball to West who broke upfield, Blair Smith finding an overlap to score an unconverted try.

Local rivals GHK are next at a rearranged fixture at Old Anniesland on Saturday, kick-off 1pm.