More Sporting Success at PHS!

It has been my great pleasure recently to watch two of our senior teams competing at the final stages of national competitions.

On Friday 19th April our S4-6 Netball Team won the Scottish School's Senior National Final against Anderson High School of Shetland. Anderson HS were the defending champions and have won the competition three out of the last five years but Peebles were stronger throughout, eventually winning 50-24. Nearly two hundred state and private schools entered this competition, more than any year previously, and it is wonderful to be able to say that we have the best school team in Scotland. Wonderful, too, that the two schools contesting the final represented the 'deep south' of Tweeddale against the most northern secondary in Scotland. The girls contested the final with great spirit and determination and fully deserve their success. A special mention must go to Jo Pettit, the only Sixth year in the team, who captained PHS in her final game for the school. I'm sure the whole community will join me in congratulating all of the girls involved as well as coaches, Linda Nicholson and Lynn Hudson for their tremendous commitment to Netball.

On Tuesday 23rd April our First XV Rugby team faced Morrisons in the final of the Dolphin Brewin Bowl competition. In a close encounter (PHS led by a point at half time) Morrisons came out on top by 31 points to 20. For many of the boys playing it was their third final at Murrayfield in the last thirteen months and, while they were hugely disappointed with the result, they can be proud of the manner in which they played and the integrity they demonstrated in defeat. Of course, they had to win a great many games to reach three finals and I congratulate them on demonstrating such skill and tenacity over such a prolonged period of time. I also hope that injuries sustained heal quickly and in plenty of time for the forthcoming examinations! Sincerest thanks to coach, George Blair, and PHS Master of Rugby, David Changleng - they have both worked incredibly hard to provide the boys the opportunity to shine.

(look out for a new News section, that will include fuller images of the above, appearing shortly)