Peebles safe from threat of relegation from rugby’s Arnold Clark National League Division 2 despite ninth loss of season

That 18-15 loss leaves head coach Graeme Paterson’s Peebles level on 29 points with second-from-bottom Dundee, having played 14 games to their 13, and Berwick 24 points adrift at the foot of the table, on five from 14.

The Pees’ tries at their Gytes home ground, all unconverted, were scored by right-winger Buster Davidson at the double and hooker Matt Carryer.

Their second-placed Inverness opponents’ try-scorers were wingers Fergus Riach and Magnus Henry, with fly-half and captain Scott Fraser adding a conversion and two penalties, as they racked up a winning double against the Borderers, having beaten them 31-24 up north in October.

Next up for Peebles is a visit from Dundee this coming Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm, and they’ll be hoping to make amends for a 42-26 defeat on the road in October’s reverse fixture.

Carryer was put out by Saturday’s scoreline, though it did earn the hosts a consolation bonus losing point, telling Borders Rugby TV: “It was a disappointing result for the Peebles boys.

“It was a very close game. We had multiple opportunities to score but didn’t really capitalise. We were held up over the line four or five times by the final whistle, which just wasn’t good enough.

“Highland are a tough team to beat and they kept the scoreboard ticking over with penalties and they kept us at arm’s distance.

“It was a tough afternoon. I think we were probably the better team at times but we weren’t able to capitalise on our opportunities in the red-zone so we came up just short.”