Match Report from: GUS ROBERTSON

A smaller squad of 17 made the trip to Oban this afternoon for the 1st XV’s first away match of the West 1 league season.

With numerous first-team regulars unavailable for this match, there were 6 changes to the starting 15 from last week, with the backs’ average age probably the youngest it’s been for several seasons – even when including veteran James Kirby!

Daniel Faulkner made his 1st XV debut starting inside centre while new recruit Braden Sycamore started for the 1st XV for the first time at outside centre.

At Violetbank, the 1st XV have never lost to Oban but at Glencruitten, the lads had not won there since 2018 and had lost on their last 3 visits. Always a tough team to beat at home.

To keep it short:

1st twenty: Nip and tuck – both teams had chances but defences on top. Some big hits; Oban reduced to 14 after a yellow. 0-0

2nd twenty: Early Oban penalty, 3-0. Oban converted try on the half hour. 10-0. Oban try 5 mins later. 15-0 and 2 late tries took the half-time score to 29-0.

The lads will have felt a bit unlucky at half-time, as playing well but not getting the rub of the green.

Like last week, the lads started the 2nd half knowing they would have to let loose and chase the game.

To keep it shorter, the match ended 46 v 7 to Oban

Annan points from Frazer Hope (T), James Kirby (C)

The match was called 15 minutes early as a couple of players were taken to hospital as a precaution with knee and elbow knocks. Quick recovery lads!

Congrats to Oban.

Great effort from the 17 who made the trip. They will take some positives from the match, but there’s still a lot of work to do to get the season back on track.