MATCH REPORT: ANNAN 1ST XV v CUMBERNAULD
Annan, whilst still unbeaten in the league, have been unable to eat into leaders Stewartry’s 18 point lead, albeit Annan have 4 games in hand, mainly due to Annan’s inability to get the bonus point for scoring 4 tries in their wins. Then on Saturday they manage to score 23 tries against Cumbernauld in West 2 of the BT Regional Leagues.
Many watching on Saturday, whilst happy with the bonus point win, would have preferred, no doubt, to see the tries spread over those bonus free games.
Annan were on the scoreboard within minutes of the kick off when from a lineout in the visitor’s half the ball was swung along the back line and centre Jonny Callaghan scythed his way through the visitors’ defensive line to score under the posts.
This set the scene for the 80 minutes as Annan scored tries at regular intervals running in a further 10 tries in the first half from centre Callaghan scoring a further 2, full back Cairn Wallace (3), hooker Kieran Warrick, lock Michael Thompson, wing forward Angus Clark, winger Alan Rae, and wing forward Dwayne Barnes all scoring.
Standoff Craig McCann added 8 conversions to take the half time score to Annan 71 Cumbernauld 6.
Whilst the onlookers thought that Annan’s intensity might fall off in the second half with the game won this was not the case as the hosts ran in a further 12 tries. The visitors scored a consolation try with an interception half way through the half.
Annan’s tries came from stand off McCann, full back Wallace, No 8 Sean Haren, winger Willie Gray(2), winger James Kirby, centre Callaghan (2), prop Christian White, centre Alex Halliday (2) and centre Neal Coupland. Standoff McCann added a further 9 conversions to take his personal tally to 39 points and the final score to Annan 149 Cumbernauld 13.
It is difficult to equate this win against Annan’s other performances this season as Cumbernauld were missing several of their regulars and travelled with the bare 15 players and indeed played most of the 2nd half down to 13 men.
Some of Annan’s play was exhilarating with some fine interplay between forwards and backs. It is difficult to name any individual player as outstanding as this was a consummate team performance, albeit against limited opposition, but centre Jonny Callaghan get a special mention for equalling the 1st XV’s try league scoring record of 5 tries*.
For the record this was Annan’s highest scoring win beating their 148 – 14 win over Falkirk in 1996.
Annan 1st XV Squad: R Glass, K Warrick, R Martin, M Thompson, D Nordon, D Barnes, A Clark, S Haren, A Jancey, C McCann (C), B Jamieson, J Callaghan, D Wyllie, A Rae, C Wallace
Replacements: C Nicholson, C White, N Coupland, W Gray, J Kirby and A Halliday (all used)
*For the record, equal with Billy Henderson (5 tries in 1991 v Whitehill). 1st XV record is held by Stuart Clanachan with 6 tries in a SRU Cup game v Moffat in 2004.
Match Report by: Alan ‘Scoop’ Robertson
WARRIORS v GARIOCH LADIES
Match Report by: Ian ‘Hammy’ Hamilton
Venue: Violetbank
Date: Sunday 20th March 2016
Competition: Women’s National League Division 2
On a glorious Sunday morning 18 Warriors made themselves available to take on table topping Garioch at Violetbank. This was always going to be an uphill struggle against a club with 3 years experience in Nat league 2.
Having finished 5th the first year and 3rd last season Garioch are on an upward path which sees them one game away from winning the league this season. They have only lost one league game this year and were expected to be formidable opponents.
The game kicked off in bright sunshine and on a surprisingly good surface after all the rain it has had to handle.
Conditions were perfect for flowing rugby and both sets of players didn’t disappoint. Annan, with some unbelievable defence, weathered the early onslaught well and matched the larger more experienced Highland packs driving play.
Annan’s backs mirrored their forward colleagues in keeping Garioch out when the away team decided to try out wide. This stoic defence held fast for the first 20-25 minutes when the inevitable breach happened and Garioch ran in a try wide on the left.
This proved to be the preferred route as by half time Garioch were 0-20 in the lead thanks to 4 unconverted tries all scored on the left hand side of the Annan posts.
Unbowed by the score The Warriors took to the field in the second half with the same steely determination and resolve.
Unfortunately tiredness (of both sets of players) and a few minor injuries meant the second period was a stilted affair and saw the visitors cement the victory with another 3 unconverted scores.
Annan’s dogged determination was finally awarded with the final score of the game, a try of their own which was run in by left winger Jane Stewart.
This was greeted with almost as much appreciation from the Garioch team and coaches as it was from the Annan crowd. Post match the Garioch coaches stated that Annan had put up the hardest defence they have come against this season and more than deserved the consolation.
On the odd occasion that Annan had possession there was some positive attacking runs by both centres and Wo(man) of the Match full back Lyndsay McGoldrick. Lyndsay also led the team in tackling like a demon and showed that the ten year layoff between the old Warriors and the new Warriors has done nothing to dampen her zest for the game.
It’s also worth noting that in those ten years or so Lyndsay’s family have come along and both her daughters were mascots for this game. Proud Mummy moment!
Once again Annan had players playing out of position, and had players changing positions during the game to cover injuries/replacements, all with no detrimental effect to the overall team performance. Well done!
Finally The Warriors would like to welcome another 2 debutants in Claire Martindale and Nicola Oakes both of whom pulled on the Black and Gold for the first time.
Sunday’s squad was: 15. Lyndsay McGoldrick (Capt.), 14.Rachel Donnelly, 13. Malvina McGeoch, 12. Claire Martindale 11. Jane Stewart, 10. Katy McBride, 9. Nicole Barlow, 1. Jenny Park, 2. Lindsay Kyle, 3. Marie Beer Parker, 4. Ashley Clark, 5. Abbie Clark, 6. Chelsea Barnes, 17. Niamh Dobie and 8. Kayleigh Warrick.
Replacements: 16. Shona Barlow, 18. Nicola Oakes, 19. Lynne Nimmo. (all used)
The Warriors would like to thanks the Grubber staff and Clubhouse staff for the after match tea. The Warriors would also like to take this opportunity in congratulating the first XV on their 149-13 club record victory on Saturday and the u15’s Hornets in reaching their Bowl final at Murrayfield this Friday night. #OneClubOneLove.
Next up for The Warriors is Sunday 27th March away to v Howe of Fife in Cupar with a 2pm KO. This is the semi-final of the SRU Women’s Bowl competition which sees the winners going to Murrayfield for the Final on Cup Finals Day 16th of April.
The Warriors have played Howe Harlequins twice this season and the score is currently 1 victory each so all to play for and with the extra incentive of a Final at Murrayfield it should be a great occasion.
The club are running a bus to this fixture leaving Bank Street in Annan at 0930. An Easter Sunday Treat.
Please contact the club if interested, places available on a first come first served basis.
U14 XV v WAYSIDERS DRUMPELLIER/UDDINGSTON
Match Report by: Gary ‘Taggart’ Coupland
Annan/ Moffat welcomed Waysiders/Drumpellier/ Uddingston to a bright and sunny Holm Park, Moffat for this friendly fixture.
The visitors arrived minus 4 players, so the large Annan/ Moffat squad provided the numbers to make it 15 players each.
Having played earlier in the season, when Annan/ Moffat squeaked a win by 5 -7 in atrocious weather conditions, both the Annan/ Moffat players and coaches were aware that the visitors had a considerable advantage in size over the hosts, which had caused problems particularly in the contact area.
As such coaching sessions leading up to the match focused on generating quick ball, prior to and on contact in an effort to nullify the visitors previous advantage in this area.
It was great from a coaching perspective to see the boys had taken this on board from the outset and utilised quick hands and good running lines to take the game to the visitors, exploiting space when the opportunity arose, which led to scoring being at regular intervals throughout the game, with the home side running out worthy winners by 51 – 21.
Scorers on the day were Percy Johnstone (4), Alex Laurie, Ryan Armstrong, Euan Muirhead, Henry Johnstone – Ferguson and Aaron Carmichael, who also kicked 3 conversions.
Another good performance from this ever improving team.
Special mention to Moffat coach Cammy Little who recently was awarded SRU Volunteer of the month and Annandale and Eskdale Coach of the year for his work with the Club and local area. This follows in from his previous ‘ tattie scone’ making exploits.
Well done Cammy from all the lads and Annan RFC you deserve it.
WEEKEND TEAM NEWS 25TH/26TH/27TH MARCH 2016
SUMMARY: On Friday, U15 Hornets take on Lismore/RHC in Bowl Final. Saturday, the 1st XV away to Clydebank, 2nd XV away to Hillhead. Sunday the Warriors away to Howe.
HORNETS OFF TO THE FINAL
Annan Hornets (U15) travel to Murrayfield on Friday in the Scottish Girls U15 Bowl final at BT Murrayfield to take on Lismore/RHC U15s with a 6pm KO.
Best of luck from all at Annan RFC.
THE 1ST XV TRAVEL TO WHITECROOK TO TAKE ON CLYDEBANK
After a poor start to the season, Clydebank are one of the inform teams in West 2 of BT Regional leagues. Currently in 4th spot, after a poor start to the season (losing 4 from 5) they are currently on a run of 5 wins from 6.
At home Clydebank have only been beaten by Stewartry (12-7) and even when you look at their defeats at the start of the season it was usually just by a score. (19-14, 23-10, 13-12. 26-13) The 26-13 defeat was Clydebanks biggest loss of the season….it was away to Stewartry so that’s not actually a bad scoreline!
After last week’s club record win v Cumbernauld you would think Annan might have closed the gap on Stewartry but alas Annan are still 18 points behind Stewartry but do still have 4 games in hand.
So Annan need a bonus point win to keep up the pressure, but away to Clydebank is perhaps the hardest place in the league to a) win and b) score 4 tries! It’s going to be a big ask against inform Clydebank!
Clydebank will be looking to keep up their winning form and put some pressure on 3rd placed Cumnock. 2nd place is still a possibility especially if Annan hit a poor patch!
Annan 1st XV Squad: R Glass, K Warrick, C White, M Thompson, D Nordon, A Clark, D Barnes, S Haren, C McCann, C Wallace, W Gray, J Callaghan, A Halliday, D Wyllie, B Jamieson
Replacements: C Nicholson, C Bell, J Kirby
Meet at Clubhouse at 11.45am for a 3pm KO
Transport: Cars
THE 2ND XV ARE ON ROAD TO HILLHEAD JORDANHILL
Annan 2nd XV travel to Glasgow to Hughenden to take on Hillhead Jordanhill 2A in their penultimate league fixture.
Annan 2nd XV Squad from R Hetherington, M Crombie, J Graham, I Thorburn, L Trussler, C Smith, C Taylor, M Carpenter, S Muir (C), A Alison, L Johnstone, S Clark, D Ferguson, R MacGregor, M Thornburn, D Ryan, Z Lockerbie, G Williamson, L Stannus, C Wilson
Meet at Clubhouse at 11.45am for a 3pm KO
Transport: Cars
THE WARRIORS IN A BOWL SEMI FINAL ON SUNDAY
Annan Warriors travel to Couper to take on Howe of Fife on Sunday in the semi-final of the SRU Women’s Bowl competition which sees the winners going to Murrayfield for the Final on Cup Finals Day 16th of April. KO 2pm. Best of luck from all at Annan RFC.
The club are running a bus to this fixture leaving Bank Street in Annan at 9.30am. Please contact the club if interested, places available on a first come first served basis.
Picture Credit Annan RFC