WEEKEND TEAM NEWS.

21 Jan, 2020

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Senior Men/U18 Boys: Wednesday night at Galabank 7.30pm to 9pm and Thursday night at Violetbank 7pm to 8.30pm

Senior Women/U18 Girls: Tuesday night at Violetbank 7pm to 8.30pm and Wednesday night at Galabank 7.30pm to 9pm

U14-U16 Girls: Thursday night at Violetbank 7pm to 8.15pm

U14-U16 Boys: Tuesday night at Violetbank 6pm to 7.30pm

P1-P7 Boys/Girls: Friday night at Galabank 6pm to 7pm

New players always wanted. Just turn up or email: contact@annanrfc.com if you want more info. No experience necessary. You all have to start from somewhere!

1ST XV IN BIG MATCH AT VIOLETBANK

The 1st XV have a huge match on Saturday as they take on bottom placed Cambuslang at Violetbank.

Since winning 2 matches in a row back in November and looking like they would be probably safe from the relegation battle, 3 defeats on the trot and with games running out, Annan have a battle in their last 5 matches to get the points they need to remain in West 1 for next season.

In 4th bottom place, Annan have an 8 point cushion on the bottom 2 clubs (Cambuslang and Irvine), but the clubs have a game in hand on Annan and with the 4 bottom teams also to play each other at least once, an 8 point gap will probably not be enough to avoid one of the relegation spots.

As always in the leagues, it is unclear if 1 or 2 teams will be relegated to West 2, but Saturdays match is a must win for both Annan and Cambuslang.

An Annan win and they would go potentially 12/13 points clear off the bottom, a Cambuslang win and it could be as little as 3 points. A classic 10 pointer on Saturday for both teams!

For the record, if Neal Coupland plays on Saturday, it will be Neals 100th appearance for the 1st XV in a competitive match since his debut back in September 2013. Neal has scored 23 tries for the black and amber. Not a bad effort!

Players to meet at Violetbank at 12pm for the 2pm KO

1st XV Starting XV: R Glass (Captain), K Warrick, C Bell, N Coupland, D Nordon, T Sloan, B Thomson, S Haren, A Carmichael, J Bigham, F Laurie, H Houdley, D Wyllie, J Park, J Kirby

1st XV Subs: M Crombie, J Crombie, C Smith

2ND XV ON THE ROAD

The 3rd placed 2nd XV are on the road on Saturday to take on 4th placed Strathaven in the league.

This is the start of 4 tough away fixtures on the trot with Ardrossan, East Kilbride/Cambuslang and then Dalziel in the following weeks.

The 2nd XV still have a great chance to win the West Reserve 3 (South) league as they sit just 5 points behind the top two Marr and Carrick but they can not afford to drop many more points.

As always the mighty Twos are on the lookout for new and available players for Saturday. Drop 2nd XV Team manager Gavin Lynch a message or on 07554 494262 if you are available.

Players to meet at Bank Street at 11am for the 2pm KO

2nd XV Squad: E Campbell, B Conroy (Captain), M Walker-Jones, G Graham, N Graham, S Livingstone, M Duncan, B Sweeney, D Ferguson, D Lockerby, J Burgess, R Barlow, R Brown, C Scott, T Sharkey, T Thorburn, R Armstrong

WARRIORS XV START ON THE ROAD TO MURRAYFIELD

On Sunday, the Annan Warriors start the first of 4 group matches in the SRU National Plate competition.

West of Scotland Ladies are the opponents at Violetbank. The Milngavie based team have had a great season and were promoted to the National leagues after beating Kelso Ladies in the National league playoff final.

It will be one tough match but the Warriors will be hoping to continue the great rugby they showed last week against Wigtownshire Ladies.

In the group the Warriors will also face Kelso, Kirkcaldy Ladies and Oban Lorne Ladies with the top 4 teams entering the Quarter Final draw.

The Warriors have yet to make it to a Murrayfield final so will be hoping that they can start their campaign this season with a win, make it out of the group stage, onto the knockout stages and then who knows!

Players to meet at Violetbank at 12.30pm for the 2pm kick off

Warriors XV Starting XV: 1 N Barnes 2 M Alexander 3 J Dalgliesh 4 R Peacock 5 M Muir 6 A McWilliam 7 L Moffat 8 K Warrick 9 N Barlow (Capt)10 M McGeoch 11 J Stewart 12 C Barnes 13 C O’Connell 14 M Ker 15 K Barlow

Warriors Subs: 16 Ashley Clark 17 R Armstrong 18 K Taylor

U16 & U18 HORNETS AWAY TO CARTHA QUEENS PARK

The U16 and U18 Hornets continue their cup preparation as they travel to Cartha on Sunday for a series of matches.

The U16 and U18 Hornets are joining Biggar Girls (along with Strathaven Girls) for the Cup competitions that both start on the 2nd February.

A trip to Murrayfield is also the reward for the teams that progress through the group stages.

Players to meet as arranged with the coaches.

U14 TIGERS TIGERS AT HOME TO WIGTON

The U14 Tigers are back in action on Sunday when they host Wigton at Violetbank with a 11am kick off.

The teams met a few weeks ago at Wigton. The English lads coming out on top 52-8 so the Tigers will be hoping that with home advantage they can produce the type of rugby that has given them 8 wins from 10 matches so far this season.

Players to meet at Violetbank as arranged with their coaches for the 11am kick off.

A big Annan home support for the 1st XV, U14 Tigers and Warriors XV would, as always, be most appreciated by the players in these 3 big matches.

Best of luck to all the teams this weekend.

#MonTheAnnan