KILMARNOCK v ANNAN 2ND XV

On Saturday 6th December the Annan 2nd team set off for a league match against Kilmarnock.

The starting team was reduced to a bare 15 players

Changes were needed and Alan Rae got the news that he was starting a new career as No 10. He stepped up and played well throughout.

The first half was a closely fought battle with impressive performances from centres Max Thorburn and Euan Campbell, Hayden Hodgson, Oban Nicolson, Kelum Smith and James Morrison were in the thick of it with some good carries and pod work.

The front row were winning the scrums and (c) Simon Dix was directing operations as scrum half. A much improved John Glendinning played a blinder and Annan were right in this match.

To break the deadlock Kilmarnock spun the ball wide and put there winger over the whitewash.

Half time score: Kilmarnock 7 Annan 0.

Reinforcements arrived in the form of Andy Shepherd. It still looked promising.

Kilmarnock continued to spin the ball out to the wing and scored and converted again 14-0 to the home side.

Annan replied when after a long spell of pressure James Morrison crashed over the whitewash. Converted Aaron Kirkup. Score 14-7.

At this point Kilmarnock changed their fly-half and a succession of well timed kicks to the wings caught out the Annan defence who started to struggle under the bombardment of high cross kicking.

Kilmarnock took full Advantage to score 3 more tries as the Annan team began to grow weary.

Final score: Kilmarnock 33 Annan 7.

Many thanks to Kilmarnock for the hospitality and many thanks to all the players who travelled.

Next week the team are at home to top of the league West of Scotland.

Team: 1) Craig Stefaniuk 2) John Mackay 3) Andrew Smith 4) James Wilkinson 5) Oban Nicolson 6) Kelum Smith 7) Hayden Hodgson 8) James Morrison 9) Simon Dix (Capt) 10) Alan Rae 11) John Glendinning 12) Max Thorburn 13) Ewan Campbell 14) Aaron Kirkup 15) Jack Ogilvie 16) Andy Shepherd. (Used).