Rugby: Falkirk bounce back in National 2 with home win over Peebles

The Horne Park outfit were previously on a four-match winning run in all competitions, but that was abruptly ended when they were heavily beaten away to Highland two weekends ago.

However, the first XV ensured that they would end 2025 on a high with a home bonus-point victory over second-bottom Peebles.

Speaking to the Falkirk Herald, Falkirk’s director of rugby Kenny Grieve highlighted the difficult weather conditions that made for a tough afternoon.

"Peebles always present a challenge,” he said. “It is never an easy game against them, and that was before you brought in the weather – which was horrendous. The opening 20/25 minutes especially was a bit of a slog but we stuck to our processes which was really pleasing. We got on top eventually and then managed to make sure it was one-way traffic thereafter.

"But the weather early on was horrific. Who says we shouldn’t be playing rugby in the summer? The conditions were some of the worst I’ve seen a match playing in for a long time. It felt like 50/60 mile-an-hour winds at times. The driving rain didn’t help the match either and we played against it in the first half, which was the way to go.”

With Falkirk now sitting fourth on 34 points from their 12 league outings so far, Grieve added: “It was a nice to round off 2025 on a high. We have tough games to come with the likes of Newton Stewart away being our first match back after the holidays.

"We are happy with our position – it’s been an odd division this year with some weird results. There is going to be a fair bit of movement before the end of the season. Berwick picked up a great first win over Dundee, Kirkcaldy edged out Highland and Howe of Fife beat leaders Newton Stewart... it was a mad weekend really.”

Youngsters lose out in Plate final

Falkirk Rugby Club’s under-18s lost out 27-5 to Biggar in the Boys’ U18 National Youth Plate final last Saturday at Sunnyside.

Reviewing the result, the club’s director of rugby Kenny Grieve said: “I was really proud of the U18s. They played into the wind during the first half and it was simply horrific. To only be one score down (12-5) at the break was good going.

"The lads then lost two of their top players to head knocks early on in the second half and after using up so much energy in the first half – Biggar played really well and did the job that was needed. They’ve been on a great journey and to reach the final was absolutely brilliant.”